Schmidt reflects on funeral privacy

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INDEPENDENCE -- (October 6, 2010) -- Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, today issued the following statement in regard to the U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in Snyder v. Phelps, the funeral privacy case:

“I recall the day Governor Sebelius signed into law our Kansas Funeral Privacy Act. When it comes to rejecting the rogue behavior of the Westboro Baptist Church, there is no Republican or Democrat, no liberal or conservative. We are all Kansans, and we are all embarrassed that this disgraceful behavior continues to tarnish our state’s good name.

“When those of us in the Kansas legislature crafted the state’s funeral privacy law in 2007 and 2008, we relied heavily on the legal advice and analysis of Professor Stephen R. McAllister from the University of Kansas School of Law. The Professor has become a recognized national expert on funeral privacy and related First Amendment issues, and his excellent work in helping craft the Kansas Funeral Privacy Act is further reflected in the amicus brief that he helped craft for Kansas in the case before the Supreme Court today. We all owe Professor McAllister a debt of gratitude for his expertise and work in promoting dignity for the fallen.

“I join with Kansans across our state in wishing the advocates for the Snyder family well as they present their case today.”