Rep. Gibson: Jolene’s Law Task Force Vital to Protect Children, Save State Money

Asked to name the best thing to come out of the 2015 Legislature, Rep. Peggy Gibson (D-22/Huron) points to the reinstatement of the Jolene’s Law Task Force, on which Rep. Gibson, to continue its work on childhood sexual abuse. Oddly, the Legislature itself killed that task force; outraged advocates for children had to lobby the Governor to use federal funds to save the project from the Legislature’s unconscionable political games.

Note the turtle pin on Rep. Gibson’s lapel. In Lakota lore, Mother Earth sends the turtle to protect women. In Legislative lore, the turtle represents the Republican political gamers who pull their heads into their shells and ignore real problems, waiting for passionate advocates like Rep. Gibson to prod them to action.