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From the Editor
On August 25, 2009, Senator Ted Kennedy died of brain cancer. With his passing prisoners lost one of the few advocates they had in the US Senate. Not surprisingly, mainstream media accounts largely ignored this aspect of Senator Kennedy’s long career. Probably the highlight of this was his role on holding senate hearings in the mid 1970s on the use of prisoners as medical test subjects. The threat of legislation resulted in Health and Human Services regulations, still in effect today, which prohibit the use of prisoners in federally funded medical research. Until this happened virtually all drugs and cosmetics were tested on human prisoners, along with chemical and biological warfare agents and other items.
Senator Kennedy was also instrumental in enacting the Americans With Disabilities Act and was always a reliable vote for legislation that not only benefitted all Americans, but also the most powerless and dispossessed of Americans as well.
He leaves a rich legacy behind him. Unlike many politicians, Senator Kennedy was consistent and his advocacy for the poor didn’t change over time or with the political winds. American politics is an even more impoverished place with his passing.
By now readers should have received PLN’s annual fundraiser letter. Like many other non profits, PLN has been affected by the economic downturn with smaller and less donations and grants. If you can afford to make a donation to support our work please do so. Every little bit helps. Donations are tax deductible for those who pay taxes. In addition to publishing the magazine Prison Legal News, we are the only publisher in America that undertakes first amendment litigation to ensure prisoners can receive PLN, the books we distribute and a wide range of other published materials. Likewise we are the only organization that regularly uses public records laws to shed some light on what happens in prisons and jails. Your support helps make this work possible.
With the holiday season upon us please consider a subscription to PLN or some of the books we distribute as the perfect gift for your friends and family members.
Enjoy this issue of PLN and encourage others to subscribe.
Senator Kennedy was also instrumental in enacting the Americans With Disabilities Act and was always a reliable vote for legislation that not only benefitted all Americans, but also the most powerless and dispossessed of Americans as well.
He leaves a rich legacy behind him. Unlike many politicians, Senator Kennedy was consistent and his advocacy for the poor didn’t change over time or with the political winds. American politics is an even more impoverished place with his passing.
By now readers should have received PLN’s annual fundraiser letter. Like many other non profits, PLN has been affected by the economic downturn with smaller and less donations and grants. If you can afford to make a donation to support our work please do so. Every little bit helps. Donations are tax deductible for those who pay taxes. In addition to publishing the magazine Prison Legal News, we are the only publisher in America that undertakes first amendment litigation to ensure prisoners can receive PLN, the books we distribute and a wide range of other published materials. Likewise we are the only organization that regularly uses public records laws to shed some light on what happens in prisons and jails. Your support helps make this work possible.
With the holiday season upon us please consider a subscription to PLN or some of the books we distribute as the perfect gift for your friends and family members.
Enjoy this issue of PLN and encourage others to subscribe.
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