(Following up on a previous report about a resolution to be presented to the presbytery, the following resolution was adopted at the November 2007 meeting of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley:

Whereas the Presbytery of Scioto Valley believes the death penalty to be a denial of our faith in the possibility of repentance, redemption, and restoration through the power of God’s Word and Spirit, and

Whereas the death penalty is disproportionately applied to the poor and to minorities, and

Whereas its application is disproportionately contingent on geographical location, and

Whereas profound problems with lethal injection have been identified and are currently under investigation, and

Whereas for over fifty years the Presbyterian General Assembly has faithfully called for the abolition of the death penalty,

Be it resolved that the Presbytery of Scioto Valley goes on record as calling upon Governor Ted Strickland to implement a moratorium on executions while major problems surrounding the death penalty in Ohio are studied and addressed, and

Be it further resolved that the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley be directed to send this resolution to Governor Ted Strickland, and

Be it further resolved that the clergy and lay people of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley be urged to write and call upon Governor Ted Strickland to implement a death penalty moratorium.

(Please note: while the wording of the resolution presented above is believed to be accurate, the minutes of the presbytery meeting should be considered the only official record.)