November 17, 2011

The Honorable Senator Joseph B. Scarnati III                                        The Honorable Samuel H. Smith

Office of the President Pro Tempore                                                       Office of the Speaker

Senate of Pennsylvania                                                                            Pennsylvania House of Representatives

292 Capitol Building                                                                               139 Main Capitol Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3025                                                                    Harrisburg, PA 17120-2066

The Honorable Senator Dominic Pileggi                                                The Honorable Senator Jay Costa

Republican Floor Leader                                                                         Democratic Floor Leader

Senate of Pennsylvania                                                                            Senate of Pennsylvania

350 Capitol Building                                                                                535 Main Capitol

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3009                                                                    Harrisburg, PA 17120-3043

The Honorable Mike Turzai                                                                    The Honorable Frank Dermody

Republican Floor Leader                                                                         Democratic Floor Leader

Pennsylvania House of Representatives                                                  Pennsylvania House of Representatives

110 Main Capitol                                                                                     423 Main Capitol Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2028                                                                    Harrisburg, PA 17120-2033

In view of the continuing saga surrounding the alleged child sex abuse tragedy at Penn State University, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for the swift and collective response concerning my request to establish a special legislative committee on this issue.  As indicated in my previous letter, I believe that we have an obligation to reevaluate mandatory reporting requirements in the state and to examine and discuss ways we can improve how state agencies and state-supported programs respond to reports of child abuse.   I have read reports some of your offices have circulated on this serious issue, and I understand that discussions are ongoing regarding how we can best develop and implement a bipartisan, bicameral special committee and how we should attempt to define the focus of this committee’s agenda.  As I have not been invited to participate in many of these discussions, I felt it was important to convey my thoughts and ideas in writing with the hope that you will find them helpful in the furtherance of this vital work.

First and foremost, let me be clear that I am not interested in assigning blame nor do I believe that the proposed committee’s priority should be to seek, identify or assign blame.  While I recognize that it is of critical importance for the committee to consider the facts of these alleged crimes - including the who, what, how and why -  I also believe it is of utmost importance that the committee scrutinize whether individuals, agencies, departments, and institutions were in compliance with local, state and federal laws.  We must question whether there have been actions or inactions that were directly a result of any gap in our laws, lack of training of persons involved, or willful disregard for truth and justice.  The special committee will need that base line of understanding and discovery in order to move forward to address what I believe we all agree is the most critical task: making recommendations regarding how we can strengthen our governmental systems to prevent crimes of this magnitude from ever happening again. 

Additionally, I believe it is critically important that the composition of the special legislative committee be diverse.  As the public watches with bated breath how we will approach this important work, we must make sure to put forward only the best candidates regardless of position, rank or title.  We must strive to ensure diversity among committee membership, whether pertaining to gender, political ideology, race, religion, or age, for both legislative and non-legislative members.  While lawmakers will play a vital role in this process, child advocacy groups, law enforcement, legal experts, academics, educators, and parents because they each can provide professional expertise or bring a unique perspective to the conference table.  Finally, I think it goes without saying that no candidate for membership on this committee should be in any way associated with ongoing investigations, for the sake of integrity towards the committee.

In closing, I want to reiterate that I wholeheartedly agree with both Majority Leaders Turzai and Pileggi's assertion that we need a comprehensive and detailed approach to address this issue.  That is why I am suggesting that key stakeholder groups be included at the conference table.  To get this right, the proposed bipartisan, bicameral committee must represent a diverse group of individuals who come together to seek the truth and who will work toward improving a flawed system – there is no room at the table for someone who as a political axe to grind.  Diverse participation from beginning to end will properly ensure all voices are heard when we ask ourselves these difficult questions, so that we can, to the best of our abilities, minimize the chances of a heinous crime like this from happening again and also to better ensure that all reports of abuse or assault are promptly investigated and adjudicated in the future. 

Once again, thank you for taking the lead on this important endeavor.  Please be assured that I stand ready to assist you in this matter and I look forward to working with you in the coming weeks. 

Sincerely,

Jake Wheatley, Jr.

State Representative

19th Legislative District

Cc:

Honorable Dominic Pileggi, PA Senate Republican Leader

Honorable Jake Corman, Republican Chairman PA Senate Appropriations

Honorable Vincent J. Hughes, Democratic Chairman PA Senate Appropriations

Honorable Jeffrey E. Piccola, Republican Chairman, PA Senate Education Committee

Honorable Andrew E.  Dinniman, Democratic Chairman, PA Senate Education Committee

Honorable Stewart J. Greenleaf, Republican Chairman, PA Senate Judiciary Committee

Honorable Daylin Leach, Democratic Chairman, PA Senate Judiciary Committee

Honorable Mike Turzai, PA House Republican Leader

Honorable William Adolph, Jr., Chairman, PA House Appropriations Committee

Honorable Joseph Markosek, Democratic Chairman, PA House Appropriations Committee

Honorable Dennis M. O'Brien, Chairman, PA House Children & Youth Committee

Honorable Louise Williams Bishop, Democratic Chairwoman, PA Children & Youth Committee

Honorable Paul I. Clymer, Chairman, PA House Education Committee

Honorable James Roebuck, Democratic Chairman, PA Education Committee

Honorable Matthew E. Baker, Chairman, PA House Health Committee

Honorable John Myers, Democratic Chairman, PA House Health Committee

Honorable Gene DiGirolamo, Chairman, PA House Human Services Committee

Honorable Mark B. Cohen, Democratic Chairman, PA House Human Services Committee

Honorable Ron Marsico, Chairman, PA House Judiciary Committee

Honorable Thomas R. Caltagirone, Democratic Chairman, PA House Judiciary Committee

Honorable Ronald Waters, Chairman PA Legislative Black Caucus

Honorable Kenyatta Johnson

Honorable Vanessa Lowery-Brown

Honorable Michelle Brownlee

Honorable Margo Davidson

Honorable Dwight Evans

Honorable Thaddeus Kirkland

Honorable Shirley Kitchen

Honorable Cherelle Parker

Honorable Tony Payton, Jr.

Honorable Joseph Preston

Honorable W. Curtis Thomas

Honorable LeAnna Washington

Honorable Anthony H. Williams

Honorable Jewell Williams

Honorable Rosita Youngblood