Chronology of Events From 1991 Through 1998

	The Year of 1991 Crime rates peak and start decreasing all across the nation, including California.
	June 29, 1992 Kimber Reynolds is killed by convicted felon Joe Davis in front of 24 witnesses after she resisted his taking of her purse. Shortly thereafter, Mike Reynolds, the father of Kimber, met with Judge Ardaiz (then an associate justice for the 5th District Court of Appeals--who later became the presiding justice in 1994 after appointment by then Governor Wilson) to assist him in drafting the initial outline of the 3-Strikes measure. See Vitiello.
	Early 1993 Reynolds has Bill Jones, Republican Assemblyman from the Fresno area, sponsor Assembly Bill 971. See Vitiello.
	April 20, 1993 Reynolds and four bus-loads of supporters show up for the first hearing on AB 971 before the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The committee soundly defeated the bill. See Vitiello.
	Summer of 1993 Reynolds decides to by-pass the legislature and use the initiative process. The going is slow and prior to Oct. 1, 1993, despite financial backing from the NRA and the CCPOA, Reynolds has obtained only 20,000 signatures. See Vitiello.
	October 1, 1993 Repeat offender Richard Allen Davis kidnaps Polly Klaas. Polly's parents respond immediately by getting a video of Polly in the public spotlight. Unfortunately, Polly was later found murdered. Reynolds visits Marc Klaas, Polly's father, and obtains his signature on a petition. Within a few days, Reynolds has gained an additional 50,000 signatures and the initiative becomes the fastest qualifying voter initiative in California history. Marc Klaas later withdrew his support of the initiative. See Vitiello.
	December, 1993 The Washington 3-Strikes law took effect in December of 1993 following a voter initiative that passed by a 3-to-1 margin. Under the Washington law, all 3 strikes must be for violent and serious felonies and there is no 2nd strike provision. As of March 1, 1996, there were only 53 inmates incarcerated in Washington under its 3-Strikes law as opposed to 15,230 2nd Strikers and 1,477 3rd Strikers in California. http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles/165369.pdf
	Early 1994 Reynolds approaches the legislature with a choice: pass AB 971 or the voters will do it for you. See Vitiello.
	Spring of 1994 Despite four alternative 3-Strike proposals, Governor Pete Wilson and Reynolds push through AB 971 (the most draconian alternative) and get it passed without any amendments. In an election year, Wilson and Reynolds threatened to call anybody who stood in the way of the bill as "soft on crime." The legislators got "out of the way of the train," and it was easily passed. See Vitiello.
	March, 1994 The 3-Strikes law was enacted by Assembly Bill 971 (Jones/Costa, Chapter 12, Statutes of 1994--Cal. Penal Code Sec. 667).
	Fall of 1994 Fearful that the legislature might someday amend the 3-Strikes law, Reynolds takes back his word and puts through the public initiative. Reynolds eventually collected $880,000 to help pass his initiative. The opponents, with little ability to obtain funding, could do little to get out their message. See Vitiello.
	September 14, 1994 Thomas G. Cargill, found guilty of car theft, became the first person in Orange County to be convicted under the 3-Strikes law. OC-Register, 9/15/94.
	November 8, 1994 The 3-Strikes law was reenacted by the voters by the passage of Proposition 184. The vote was 72% for enactment and 28% against.
	June 20, 1996 Romero: The California Supreme Court unanimously stated that judges have the right to disregard prior convictions if they think a mandatory prison sentence would be too cruel. LA-Times, 6/21/96.
	July 16, 1996 AB331, sponsored by Rob Hurtt, R-Garden Grove, a bill that passed the Assembly by a 56-19 vote--to plug the loopholes in the 3-Strike sentencing statute because of the Romero decision--died in the Criminal Procedures Committee of the Senate where it received only one vote (Sen. Ross Johnson, R- Irvine). Three Democrats and an independent voted against the measure. Hurtt immediately vowed to back a ballot initiative to restore the original intent of the law or make it even tougher. OC-Register, 7/17/96.
	September 9, 1996 Coalition to Amend 3-Strikes came together. Mother's ROC in Los Angeles is the primary group to get things moving.
	May 17, 1997 OC-FACTS (previously known as Orange County Residents to Amend 3-Strikes) sponsors a Town Hall meeting in the City of Orange.
	May 24, 1997 OC-FACTS hands out information at Laguna Beach.
	May 30, 1997 OC-FACTS and Students Advocating Truth in Justice have a demonstration at the UCI campus.
	June 4, 1997 SB1317 was defeated on a 13-25 vote as 10 Democrats, including the party's two top leaders, sided with Republicans in opposing the bill. OC-Register, 6/5/97.
	July 3, 1997 Davis: The California Supreme Court ruled that a 3-Strikes defendant can be punished for a past juvenile conviction, committed at age 16 or 17, in the same way as for a past adult conviction. The 4-3 ruling, an interpretation of disputed language in the 1994 law, means that most serious or violent felonies tried in juvenile court--can be treated as "strikes" in the way adult felonies are. The only exceptions are a small group of crimes listed in a different section of the law, notably residential burglary and unarmed robbery. OC-Register, 7/4/97.
	July 23, 1997 FACTS sponsors candlelight vigils in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. There were approximately 100 people in Los Angeles and 40 in Orange County.
	October 14, 1997 FACTS attends an assembly public safety committee hearing in Los Angeles. The hearing was to discuss whether the 3-Strikes law should be amended to make it "tougher" by limiting judges discretion to disregard prior strikes (as was held under the Romero decision). Unfortunately, FACTS was pushed to the end of the program after many people had left the hearing. Click here for more information.
	November 20, 1997 FACTS demonstrated at the American Society of Criminologists (ASC) Conference in San Diego. Our basic messages were "Don't Let the Disease Spread to Your State!" and "Please Help Us! Please Don't Be a Bystander!" Click here for more information.
	January 1998 The Assembly Bill to amend the 3-Strikes law limiting judges' discretion to disregard prior strikes (the Romero decision) died at the committee level.
	January 14, 1998 Members of FACTS and CATS (Californians to Amend 3-Strikes) demonstrated against Gov. Pete Wilson when Wilson made an appearance in Fountain Valley.
	January 18, 1998 LA-Times editorial says California should spend more on drug treatment programs for prisoners. LA-Times, 1/18/98.
	January 22, 1998 Little Hoover Commission report gives a detailed analysis of the California Prison situation. Amongst its findings are (1) the problems with California's focus on putting nonviolent and non-serious offenders in expensive state prisons and (2) the state's high recidivism rate because of the lack of rehabilitation and treatment programs. Click here for the Little Hoover Commission report.
	February 7, 1998 FACTS had a Town Hall meeting in Los Angeles. Approximately 70 people attended. Click here for more information.
	February 20, 1998 Senator John Vasconcellos introduced SB2048 to amend the 3-Strikes law so it would not be applicable to nonviolent and non-serious offenses. Later the bill was amended to require a study of the 3-Strikes law.
	February 28, 1998 FACTS had a Walk-A-Thon in Los Angeles. Approximately 100 people attended.
	March 1998 The Attorney General's Office of the State of California issued a very biased and mispresented report on the effects of California's Three Strikes law. Click here for more information.
	March 7, 1998 FACTS takes part in the American Write-in at UC-Irvine.
	March 20, 1998 FACTS storms the California State Democratic Convention. Click here for more information.
	March 27, 1998 FACTS attends Reggie Wilson hearing in Orange County where Judge Ryan used his discretion to waive a prior strike thereby reducing a 25 years-to-life sentence down to 8 years. Reggie Wilson was being sentenced for stealing a pair of Levi's. Click here for more information.
	April 14, 1998 Public Safety Committee passes SB2048. FACTS attends and has 45 people line up against the wall to demonstrate their support for the bill. Click here for more information.
	May 7, 1998 FACTS has a TownHall meeting in Orange County which was attended by 220 people. Click here for more information.
	May 14, 1998 California Supreme Court upholds that multiple counts during one act can count as multiple strikes. Click here for more information.
	May 28, 1998 SB2048 passes the full California Senate after it was gutted and amended to only require the state to conduct a study of the cost-effectiveness of the 3-Strikes law. Click here for more information.
	June 2, 1998 In California elections, Anthony Rackauckas defeated Wallace Wade for the District Attorney race in Orange County. Rackauckas had openly stated that he believed Orange County was filing too many 3-Strike cases, whereas Wallace Wade stated he would vigorously enforce the 3-Strikes law as they had been in the past. Click here for more information.
	June 6, 1998 FACTS attended an Anti-War on Drugs Rally in Santa Ana and had many people speak on behalf of FACTS and their family members in prison. Click here for more information.
	June 11, 1998 FACTS invites Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) area coordinator Andrea Strong to an Orange County FACTS meeting in the hopes of starting up a FAMM chapter in Orange County. Click here for more information.
	June 30, 1998 SB2048 passes Assembly Public Safety Committee. Click here for more information.
	July 11, 1998 Over 500 people attended "A Night of Progressive Politics and Music: Behind the Orange Curtain" which was an event primarily sponsored by FACTS and involved many FACTS speakers and people who spoke out against the 3-Strikes law. Click here for more information.
	July 19, 1998 In a very lengthy opinion piece, Alan Bock of the OCRegister went in depth as to many of the reasons why the 3-Strikes law should be amended. Mr. Bock, who spoke at the TownHall meeting in Orange County on May 7th, also quoted many people from the TownHall meeting.
	July 26, 1998 FACTS makes the Los Angeles Time with an article in the Metro Section. See LATimes, 7/26/98.
	July 28-30, 1998 Many FACTS members attended and demonstrated at the legislative hearings on the Corcoran prison abuses. Click here for more information.
	August 1, 1998 About 10 FACTS members attended a meeting with Republican Assemblyman Scott Baugh (R-Huntington Beach) who indicated he would vote "yes" on SB2048 and on Aug. 17th he did.
	August 6, 1998 FACTS made the cover of OCWeekly in Orange County in an article titled "Three Strikes Stinks!" It was the cover page item and showed the picture of a boy making a putrid looking face and had a clothes pin on his nose. A copy of the article can be found at: http://www.ocweekly.com/ink/archives/98/48lede-080798-lowery.shtml
	August 6, 1998 SB2048 passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Click here for more information.
	August 14, 1998 A mistrial was declared in the Foster Morris trial in Orange County and upon refiling of the case, the district attorney's office agreed to waive all but one of his priors so he received only a 3 year sentence (of which he was deemed to have time served). Mr. Morris was being charged with the attempt to purchase imitation rock cocaine ($20 worth of what was actually a macadamia nut). Mr. Morris is 56 in a wheel chair because he has lost both his legs, has suffered 3 heart attacks recently, has cancer and many other disabilities. There are indications that the mistrial took place because 4 members of the jury used their right to jury nullification. Click here for more information.
	August 16, 1998 FACTS had its first state-wide meeting in Fresno. About 25 members from all over the state came, passed the by-laws, and discussed themajor policy issues concerning FACTS.
	August 17, 1998 SB2048 (requiring a study of the 3-Strikes law) failed to pass the assembly. The vote was 38 "ayes" to 34 "noes" with 8 members abstaining. It needed 41 "aye" votes to pass. Click here for more information.
	August 17, 1998 LATimes (Orange County) publishes article on FACTS and the 3-Strikes law. LATimes, 8/17/98.
	August 18, 1998 The Corcoran prison hearings continued with the former warden taking the 5th Amendment. The former director of the CDC suggested to California legislators that they pass legislation that stems the flow of people into the prisons. Click here for more information.
	August 28, 1998 Upon reconsideration, SB2048 (requiring a study of the cost effectiveness of the 3-Strikes law) finally passes the assembly with 41 votes. Click here for more information.
	August 30, 1998 Because SB2048 was amended, it was sent back to the Senate where it was passed with 23 votes. Click here for more information.
	September 2, 1998 FACTS attended a monthly meeting with the Committee for Women Prisoners in San Francisco.
	September 5, 1998 FACTS attended the Narcotics Anonymous Convention at the San Jose Convention Center.
	September 13, 1998 Governor Pete Wilson, obviously wanting to hide the truth, vetoed SB2048. Click here for more information.
	September 20, 1998 FACTS attended the San Jose South First Street Festival (SOFA). FACTS sold artwork, raffle tickets and FACTS t-shirts.
	September 25, 1998 FACTS demonstrated in front of the Long Beach Court House to protest the use of a "stun belt" against Ronnie Hawkins, the defendant who was representing himself in a 3-Strikes case. Click here for more information.
	September 25-27, 1998 FACTS attended the "Critical Resistance: Beyond the Prison Industrial Complex" Conference at the University of California--Berkeley where an unexpected 3,000 people particpated. FACTS was well represented by various speakers and even had their own session dedicated entirely to FACTS. For more information on the conference, click here.
	October 3 and 4, 1998 FACTS demonstrated at Pelican Bay prison.
	October 11, 1998 FACTS had over 250 people attend its First Annual Awards Dinner in Los Angeles. Click here for more information.
	October 17, 1998 FACTS attended the caravans to Corcoran prison in protest of the growing injustices by the prison system. Over 300 people demonstrated at the entrace of Corcoran prison. Click here for more information.
	October 23, 1998 FACTS again demonstrated in front of the Long Beach Court House to protest the use of a "stun belt" against Ronnie Hawkins, the defendant who was representing himself in a 3-Strikes case. Click here for more information.
	October 28, 1998 FACTS protested in front of Lungren Office in South Central Los Angeles.
	November 3, 1998 Lungren Loses as Democrats make gains across the state in 1998 elections. Click here for more information.
	November 12, 1998 Facing a long sentence under the 3-strikes law, defendant jumps to suicide. Click here for more information.
	November 30, 1998 Article in Investor's Business Daily points out how California's 3-Strikes law is radically different from other states' 3-strike laws. Click here for more information.
	December 7, 1998 Senatro Tom Hayden introduces Senate Bill 79 which would limit the 3-strikes law to violent and serious offenses only.

Return to Index.

Please send questions or comments to factsla@sbcglobal.net.

Everything on this web site can be distributed to the general public, reprinted, or reposted without permission of Families to Amend California's 3-Strikes.

Date last modified: 4/22/99.

Chronology of Events From 1991 Through 1998

The Year of 1991 Crime rates peak and start decreasing all across the nation, including California.

Early 1993 Reynolds has Bill Jones, Republican Assemblyman from the Fresno area, sponsor Assembly Bill 971. See Vitiello.

April 20, 1993 Reynolds and four bus-loads of supporters show up for the first hearing on AB 971 before the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The committee soundly defeated the bill. See Vitiello.

Summer of 1993 Reynolds decides to by-pass the legislature and use the initiative process. The going is slow and prior to Oct. 1, 1993, despite financial backing from the NRA and the CCPOA, Reynolds has obtained only 20,000 signatures. See Vitiello.

Early 1994 Reynolds approaches the legislature with a choice: pass AB 971 or the voters will do it for you. See Vitiello.

March, 1994 The 3-Strikes law was enacted by Assembly Bill 971 (Jones/Costa, Chapter 12, Statutes of 1994--Cal. Penal Code Sec. 667).

September 14, 1994 Thomas G. Cargill, found guilty of car theft, became the first person in Orange County to be convicted under the 3-Strikes law. OC-Register, 9/15/94.

November 8, 1994 The 3-Strikes law was reenacted by the voters by the passage of Proposition 184. The vote was 72% for enactment and 28% against.

June 20, 1996 Romero: The California Supreme Court unanimously stated that judges have the right to disregard prior convictions if they think a mandatory prison sentence would be too cruel. LA-Times, 6/21/96.

September 9, 1996 Coalition to Amend 3-Strikes came together. Mother's ROC in Los Angeles is the primary group to get things moving.

May 17, 1997 OC-FACTS (previously known as Orange County Residents to Amend 3-Strikes) sponsors a Town Hall meeting in the City of Orange.

May 24, 1997 OC-FACTS hands out information at Laguna Beach.

May 30, 1997 OC-FACTS and Students Advocating Truth in Justice have a demonstration at the UCI campus.

June 4, 1997 SB1317 was defeated on a 13-25 vote as 10 Democrats, including the party's two top leaders, sided with Republicans in opposing the bill. OC-Register, 6/5/97.

July 23, 1997 FACTS sponsors candlelight vigils in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. There were approximately 100 people in Los Angeles and 40 in Orange County.

November 20, 1997 FACTS demonstrated at the American Society of Criminologists (ASC) Conference in San Diego. Our basic messages were "Don't Let the Disease Spread to Your State!" and "Please Help Us! Please Don't Be a Bystander!" Click here for more information.

January 1998 The Assembly Bill to amend the 3-Strikes law limiting judges' discretion to disregard prior strikes (the Romero decision) died at the committee level.

January 14, 1998 Members of FACTS and CATS (Californians to Amend 3-Strikes) demonstrated against Gov. Pete Wilson when Wilson made an appearance in Fountain Valley.

January 18, 1998 LA-Times editorial says California should spend more on drug treatment programs for prisoners. LA-Times, 1/18/98.

February 7, 1998 FACTS had a Town Hall meeting in Los Angeles. Approximately 70 people attended. Click here for more information.

February 20, 1998 Senator John Vasconcellos introduced SB2048 to amend the 3-Strikes law so it would not be applicable to nonviolent and non-serious offenses. Later the bill was amended to require a study of the 3-Strikes law.

February 28, 1998 FACTS had a Walk-A-Thon in Los Angeles. Approximately 100 people attended.

March 1998 The Attorney General's Office of the State of California issued a very biased and mispresented report on the effects of California's Three Strikes law. Click here for more information.

March 7, 1998 FACTS takes part in the American Write-in at UC-Irvine.

March 20, 1998 FACTS storms the California State Democratic Convention. Click here for more information.

March 27, 1998 FACTS attends Reggie Wilson hearing in Orange County where Judge Ryan used his discretion to waive a prior strike thereby reducing a 25 years-to-life sentence down to 8 years. Reggie Wilson was being sentenced for stealing a pair of Levi's. Click here for more information.

April 14, 1998 Public Safety Committee passes SB2048. FACTS attends and has 45 people line up against the wall to demonstrate their support for the bill. Click here for more information.

May 7, 1998 FACTS has a TownHall meeting in Orange County which was attended by 220 people. Click here for more information.

May 14, 1998 California Supreme Court upholds that multiple counts during one act can count as multiple strikes. Click here for more information.

May 28, 1998 SB2048 passes the full California Senate after it was gutted and amended to only require the state to conduct a study of the cost-effectiveness of the 3-Strikes law. Click here for more information.

June 6, 1998 FACTS attended an Anti-War on Drugs Rally in Santa Ana and had many people speak on behalf of FACTS and their family members in prison. Click here for more information.

June 11, 1998 FACTS invites Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) area coordinator Andrea Strong to an Orange County FACTS meeting in the hopes of starting up a FAMM chapter in Orange County. Click here for more information.

June 30, 1998 SB2048 passes Assembly Public Safety Committee. Click here for more information.

July 11, 1998 Over 500 people attended "A Night of Progressive Politics and Music: Behind the Orange Curtain" which was an event primarily sponsored by FACTS and involved many FACTS speakers and people who spoke out against the 3-Strikes law. Click here for more information.

July 19, 1998 In a very lengthy opinion piece, Alan Bock of the OCRegister went in depth as to many of the reasons why the 3-Strikes law should be amended. Mr. Bock, who spoke at the TownHall meeting in Orange County on May 7th, also quoted many people from the TownHall meeting.

July 26, 1998 FACTS makes the Los Angeles Time with an article in the Metro Section. See LATimes, 7/26/98.

July 28-30, 1998 Many FACTS members attended and demonstrated at the legislative hearings on the Corcoran prison abuses. Click here for more information.

August 1, 1998 About 10 FACTS members attended a meeting with Republican Assemblyman Scott Baugh (R-Huntington Beach) who indicated he would vote "yes" on SB2048 and on Aug. 17th he did.

August 6, 1998 SB2048 passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Click here for more information.

August 16, 1998 FACTS had its first state-wide meeting in Fresno. About 25 members from all over the state came, passed the by-laws, and discussed themajor policy issues concerning FACTS.

August 17, 1998 SB2048 (requiring a study of the 3-Strikes law) failed to pass the assembly. The vote was 38 "ayes" to 34 "noes" with 8 members abstaining. It needed 41 "aye" votes to pass. Click here for more information.

August 17, 1998 LATimes (Orange County) publishes article on FACTS and the 3-Strikes law. LATimes, 8/17/98.

August 18, 1998 The Corcoran prison hearings continued with the former warden taking the 5th Amendment. The former director of the CDC suggested to California legislators that they pass legislation that stems the flow of people into the prisons. Click here for more information.

August 28, 1998 Upon reconsideration, SB2048 (requiring a study of the cost effectiveness of the 3-Strikes law) finally passes the assembly with 41 votes. Click here for more information.

August 30, 1998 Because SB2048 was amended, it was sent back to the Senate where it was passed with 23 votes. Click here for more information.

September 2, 1998 FACTS attended a monthly meeting with the Committee for Women Prisoners in San Francisco.

September 5, 1998 FACTS attended the Narcotics Anonymous Convention at the San Jose Convention Center.

September 13, 1998 Governor Pete Wilson, obviously wanting to hide the truth, vetoed SB2048. Click here for more information.

September 20, 1998 FACTS attended the San Jose South First Street Festival (SOFA). FACTS sold artwork, raffle tickets and FACTS t-shirts.

September 25, 1998 FACTS demonstrated in front of the Long Beach Court House to protest the use of a "stun belt" against Ronnie Hawkins, the defendant who was representing himself in a 3-Strikes case. Click here for more information.

October 3 and 4, 1998 FACTS demonstrated at Pelican Bay prison.

October 11, 1998 FACTS had over 250 people attend its First Annual Awards Dinner in Los Angeles. Click here for more information.

October 17, 1998 FACTS attended the caravans to Corcoran prison in protest of the growing injustices by the prison system. Over 300 people demonstrated at the entrace of Corcoran prison. Click here for more information.

October 23, 1998 FACTS again demonstrated in front of the Long Beach Court House to protest the use of a "stun belt" against Ronnie Hawkins, the defendant who was representing himself in a 3-Strikes case. Click here for more information.

October 28, 1998 FACTS protested in front of Lungren Office in South Central Los Angeles.

November 3, 1998 Lungren Loses as Democrats make gains across the state in 1998 elections. Click here for more information.

November 12, 1998 Facing a long sentence under the 3-strikes law, defendant jumps to suicide. Click here for more information.

November 30, 1998 Article in Investor's Business Daily points out how California's 3-Strikes law is radically different from other states' 3-strike laws. Click here for more information.

December 7, 1998 Senatro Tom Hayden introduces Senate Bill 79 which would limit the 3-strikes law to violent and serious offenses only.

Return to Index.

The Year of 1991
Crime rates peak and start decreasing all across the nation, including California.

Early 1993
Reynolds has Bill Jones, Republican Assemblyman from the Fresno area, sponsor Assembly Bill 971. See Vitiello.

April 20, 1993
Reynolds and four bus-loads of supporters show up for the first hearing on AB 971 before the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The committee soundly defeated the bill. See Vitiello.

Summer of 1993
Reynolds decides to by-pass the legislature and use the initiative process. The going is slow and prior to Oct. 1, 1993, despite financial backing from the NRA and the CCPOA, Reynolds has obtained only 20,000 signatures. See Vitiello.

Early 1994
Reynolds approaches the legislature with a choice: pass AB 971 or the voters will do it for you. See Vitiello.

March, 1994
The 3-Strikes law was enacted by Assembly Bill 971 (Jones/Costa, Chapter 12, Statutes of 1994--Cal. Penal Code Sec. 667).

September 14, 1994
Thomas G. Cargill, found guilty of car theft, became the first person in Orange County to be convicted under the 3-Strikes law. OC-Register, 9/15/94.

November 8, 1994
The 3-Strikes law was reenacted by the voters by the passage of Proposition 184. The vote was 72% for enactment and 28% against.

June 20, 1996
Romero: The California Supreme Court unanimously stated that judges have the right to disregard prior convictions if they think a mandatory prison sentence would be too cruel. LA-Times, 6/21/96.

September 9, 1996
Coalition to Amend 3-Strikes came together. Mother's ROC in Los Angeles is the primary group to get things moving.

May 17, 1997
OC-FACTS (previously known as Orange County Residents to Amend 3-Strikes) sponsors a Town Hall meeting in the City of Orange.

May 24, 1997
OC-FACTS hands out information at Laguna Beach.

May 30, 1997
OC-FACTS and Students Advocating Truth in Justice have a demonstration at the UCI campus.

June 4, 1997
SB1317 was defeated on a 13-25 vote as 10 Democrats, including the party's two top leaders, sided with Republicans in opposing the bill. OC-Register, 6/5/97.

July 23, 1997
FACTS sponsors candlelight vigils in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. There were approximately 100 people in Los Angeles and 40 in Orange County.

November 20, 1997
FACTS demonstrated at the American Society of Criminologists (ASC) Conference in San Diego. Our basic messages were "Don't Let the Disease Spread to Your State!" and "Please Help Us! Please Don't Be a Bystander!" Click here for more information.

January 1998
The Assembly Bill to amend the 3-Strikes law limiting judges' discretion to disregard prior strikes (the Romero decision) died at the committee level.

January 14, 1998
Members of FACTS and CATS (Californians to Amend 3-Strikes) demonstrated against Gov. Pete Wilson when Wilson made an appearance in Fountain Valley.

January 18, 1998
LA-Times editorial says California should spend more on drug treatment programs for prisoners. LA-Times, 1/18/98.

February 7, 1998
FACTS had a Town Hall meeting in Los Angeles. Approximately 70 people attended. Click here for more information.

February 20, 1998
Senator John Vasconcellos introduced SB2048 to amend the 3-Strikes law so it would not be applicable to nonviolent and non-serious offenses. Later the bill was amended to require a study of the 3-Strikes law.

February 28, 1998
FACTS had a Walk-A-Thon in Los Angeles. Approximately 100 people attended.

March 1998
The Attorney General's Office of the State of California issued a very biased and mispresented report on the effects of California's Three Strikes law. Click here for more information.

March 7, 1998
FACTS takes part in the American Write-in at UC-Irvine.

March 20, 1998
FACTS storms the California State Democratic Convention. Click here for more information.

March 27, 1998
FACTS attends Reggie Wilson hearing in Orange County where Judge Ryan used his discretion to waive a prior strike thereby reducing a 25 years-to-life sentence down to 8 years. Reggie Wilson was being sentenced for stealing a pair of Levi's. Click here for more information.

April 14, 1998
Public Safety Committee passes SB2048. FACTS attends and has 45 people line up against the wall to demonstrate their support for the bill. Click here for more information.

May 7, 1998
FACTS has a TownHall meeting in Orange County which was attended by 220 people. Click here for more information.

May 14, 1998
California Supreme Court upholds that multiple counts during one act can count as multiple strikes. Click here for more information.

May 28, 1998
SB2048 passes the full California Senate after it was gutted and amended to only require the state to conduct a study of the cost-effectiveness of the 3-Strikes law. Click here for more information.

June 6, 1998
FACTS attended an Anti-War on Drugs Rally in Santa Ana and had many people speak on behalf of FACTS and their family members in prison. Click here for more information.

June 11, 1998
FACTS invites Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) area coordinator Andrea Strong to an Orange County FACTS meeting in the hopes of starting up a FAMM chapter in Orange County. Click here for more information.

June 30, 1998
SB2048 passes Assembly Public Safety Committee. Click here for more information.

July 11, 1998
Over 500 people attended "A Night of Progressive Politics and Music: Behind the Orange Curtain" which was an event primarily sponsored by FACTS and involved many FACTS speakers and people who spoke out against the 3-Strikes law. Click here for more information.

July 19, 1998
In a very lengthy opinion piece, Alan Bock of the OCRegister went in depth as to many of the reasons why the 3-Strikes law should be amended. Mr. Bock, who spoke at the TownHall meeting in Orange County on May 7th, also quoted many people from the TownHall meeting.

July 26, 1998
FACTS makes the Los Angeles Time with an article in the Metro Section. See LATimes, 7/26/98.

July 28-30, 1998
Many FACTS members attended and demonstrated at the legislative hearings on the Corcoran prison abuses. Click here for more information.

August 1, 1998
About 10 FACTS members attended a meeting with Republican Assemblyman Scott Baugh (R-Huntington Beach) who indicated he would vote "yes" on SB2048 and on Aug. 17th he did.

August 6, 1998
SB2048 passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Click here for more information.

August 16, 1998
FACTS had its first state-wide meeting in Fresno. About 25 members from all over the state came, passed the by-laws, and discussed themajor policy issues concerning FACTS.

August 17, 1998
SB2048 (requiring a study of the 3-Strikes law) failed to pass the assembly. The vote was 38 "ayes" to 34 "noes" with 8 members abstaining. It needed 41 "aye" votes to pass. Click here for more information.

August 17, 1998
LATimes (Orange County) publishes article on FACTS and the 3-Strikes law. LATimes, 8/17/98.

August 18, 1998
The Corcoran prison hearings continued with the former warden taking the 5th Amendment. The former director of the CDC suggested to California legislators that they pass legislation that stems the flow of people into the prisons. Click here for more information.

August 28, 1998
Upon reconsideration, SB2048 (requiring a study of the cost effectiveness of the 3-Strikes law) finally passes the assembly with 41 votes. Click here for more information.

August 30, 1998
Because SB2048 was amended, it was sent back to the Senate where it was passed with 23 votes. Click here for more information.

September 2, 1998
FACTS attended a monthly meeting with the Committee for Women Prisoners in San Francisco.

September 5, 1998
FACTS attended the Narcotics Anonymous Convention at the San Jose Convention Center.

September 13, 1998
Governor Pete Wilson, obviously wanting to hide the truth, vetoed SB2048. Click here for more information.

September 20, 1998
FACTS attended the San Jose South First Street Festival (SOFA). FACTS sold artwork, raffle tickets and FACTS t-shirts.

September 25, 1998
FACTS demonstrated in front of the Long Beach Court House to protest the use of a "stun belt" against Ronnie Hawkins, the defendant who was representing himself in a 3-Strikes case. Click here for more information.

October 3 and 4, 1998
FACTS demonstrated at Pelican Bay prison.

October 11, 1998
FACTS had over 250 people attend its First Annual Awards Dinner in Los Angeles. Click here for more information.

October 17, 1998
FACTS attended the caravans to Corcoran prison in protest of the growing injustices by the prison system. Over 300 people demonstrated at the entrace of Corcoran prison. Click here for more information.

October 23, 1998
FACTS again demonstrated in front of the Long Beach Court House to protest the use of a "stun belt" against Ronnie Hawkins, the defendant who was representing himself in a 3-Strikes case. Click here for more information.

October 28, 1998
FACTS protested in front of Lungren Office in South Central Los Angeles.

November 3, 1998
Lungren Loses as Democrats make gains across the state in 1998 elections. Click here for more information.

November 12, 1998
Facing a long sentence under the 3-strikes law, defendant jumps to suicide. Click here for more information.

November 30, 1998
Article in Investor's Business Daily points out how California's 3-Strikes law is radically different from other states' 3-strike laws. Click here for more information.

December 7, 1998
Senatro Tom Hayden introduces Senate Bill 79 which would limit the 3-strikes law to violent and serious offenses only.