FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Thomas Jones, Constitution Party of Georgia, 404-518-6106, tfjones@gaconstitutionparty.org

Governor Bush Holds "Supreme Executive Power" –
Florida Constitution Holds The Key to Saving Terri Schiavo's Life

ATLANTA, March 29 -- Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida state legislature have lamented that there is nothing more they can do to stop the taking of Terri Schiavo's life. However, the Florida constitution states that the governor holds supreme executive power. Furthermore, the Florida House of Representatives has the constitutional authority to impeach Judge George Greer who has been accused by many of judicial misconduct in the Terry Schiavo case.

"Governor Bush needs to read the Florida Constitution," Thomas Jones, spokesman for the Constitution Party of Georgia explained. "It outlines the extent of his powers. Article IV, Section 1 states that 'the supreme executive power shall be vested in a governor... The governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed...' If Bush needed permission from the courts to intervene, then his power could not be considered supreme. But will he use his authority to intervene and save Terri's life? He must, for he is bound by oath of office and the constitution demands he execute the laws of the state – including protecting Terri from Judge Greer's travesty of justice."

Constitution Party of Georgia State Chairman Ricardo Davis observed, "Likewise in Article III Section 17 state judges 'shall be liable to impeachment for misdemeanor in office… The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall have power at any time to appoint a committee to investigate charges against any officer subject to impeachment.' Given the allegations against Judge Greer, it is astounding that the House of Representatives hasn't challenged Greer by starting an impeachment investigation."

Davis continued, "Section 17 further reads that a judge 'impeached by the House of Representatives shall be disqualified from performing any official duties until acquitted by the Senate, and, unless impeached, the governor may by appointment fill the office until completion of the trial.' So if the Florida House of Representatives impeached Greer then Governor Bush could immediately replace Greer on the court. With such powerful constitutional mechanisms, why is Terri's sentence of death still being executed?

There is still time to act. "We urge every citizen to contact Governor Bush, Speaker Bense, and state Senator Tom Lee," Jones noted. "We must demand that immediate action be taken to have Terri's feeding tube restored. Rather than cower under Greer's gruesome judgments they must act now to challenge him and remove him from the bench if necessary!"


Florida Government Contacts

Jeb Bush, Governor
(850) 488-4441
(850) 487-0801 FAX
jeb@myflorida.com

Robert H. Fernandez (Deputy General Counsel to Governor)
fernanr@eog.state.fl.us

Raquel A. Rodriguez (General Counsel to Governor)
raquel.rodriguez@myflorida.com

Christa Calamas (Assistant General Counsel to Governor)
calamac@eog.state.fl.us
(850) 488-3494
(850) 488-9810 FAX


The Honorable Allan G. Bense, Speaker
Florida House of Representatives
(850) 488-1450
speaker@myfloridahouse.gov

District Office:
Phone: (850) 914-6300


The Honorable Tom Lee, President
Florida Senate
(850) 487-5229
lee.tom.web@flsenate.gov

District Office:
(813) 744-8683
(813) 744-8556 FAX