General Assembly candidates will discuss children's issues at University of Richmond School of Law
September 19, 2007
The Virginia Poverty Law Center, Voices for Virginia's Children and Mid-Atlantic Juvenile Defender Center at the University of Richmond School of Law will host a forum for General Assembly candidates Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in the law school's Moot Court Room. The event is free and open to the public.
The forum will feature General Assembly candidates from the Richmond area. It will be moderated by Richmond law professor Robert Shepherd in a timed question and answer format, focusing on such issues as juvenile justice, foster care, early childhood education, special education, supports for working families, including child care subsidies, and comprehensive health care for all children. Following the forum, candidates will greet audience members and answer additional questions.
Melissa Goemann, director of the law school's Mid-Atlantic Juvenile Defender Center, says the forum "is an opportunity for candidates to share their priorities on children's issues and discuss what actions they would take to foster the health and well-being of Virginia's children. We also hope to shed more light on many of the problems facing children and families in Virginia."
Candidates confirmed to date are Del. John M. O'Bannon III, R; House of Delegates candidate Ray Gargiulo, R; House of Delegates candidate Tom Herbert, D; Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D; House of Delegates candidate Joseph Morrisey, D; Senate candidate Silver Persinger, Free Socialist; Sen. John C. Watkins, R; and House of Delegates candidate Will Shaw, D.
Event sponsors include the American Academy of Pediatrics, Virginia Chapter; The Arc of Northern Virginia; The Arc of Virginia; FACES of Virginia Families (the Foster, Adoption and Kinship Association); Fairfax Futures; Just Children, A Program of the Legal Aid Justice Center; Prevent Child Abuse Virginia; Reston Interfaith/Save Our Childcare; The Virginia Coalition for Juvenile Justice; and The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.