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Audiences took a closer look at justice issues Thursday at ASU, as students listened to former Arizona House of Representatives Democrat Art Hamilton speak.

Sponsored by the School of Justice Studies, Hamilton's voice boomed, as he spoke of the problems surrounding law, education, common birthright, and citizenship in Arizona and the United States.

"The problems we face could be dealt with and our goals could be achieved for a more just society, but we can't do it in a passive mode," Hamilton said. "We must engage and participate to make this place better."

Hamilton spent 26 years participating himself, but is now retired. He was the first African-American, and the only Arizonan, to be elected President of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

"Hamilton was the minority leader for 18 years, and during that whole time there was an annual survey where Art Hamilton was always voted by colleagues as having the highest integrity," ASU justice studies professor John Johnson said.

Johnson also noted that Hamilton was always in the minority, so a lot of his success came from his ability to lessen harsh impacts, rather than push a lot of ideas forward into action.

"Arizona must reexamine its decision to have a death penalty, but if we have to accept it, we must be willing to take it off of the shelf and constantly re-examine it," Hamilton said.

Hamilton also said there is a need to repeal the mandated sentences system and place a stronger focus on the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.

Education also played a big part in Hamilton's speech as he attacked the funding of public schools in the country and state.

"It is insane that my grandkids are going to grow up in a place that decides how much money is going to schools, based on how the economy is doing," said Hamilton, who also included the need to keep higher education as free as possible.

With regards to political birthrights, Hamilton said he believed that everyone needs to participate in the political process, regardless of party affiliation. He also mentioned the need to protect - at all costs - the present system of electing judges, known as the "merits election of judges."

Hamilton went on to speak about citizenship.

"We must teach history, because if we don't know our own past, we will be vulnerable to repeat the same mistakes," Hamilton said.

Many students attended the speech and actively participated in a lengthy question and answer session immediately following.

"A lot of what Hamilton stands for is very moderate, and I think that's what's missing in the United States now," economics senior Eric Bryant said.

"People are acting out of fear and not really looking at both sides, but I think Hamilton does that," Bryant added.

Junior David Barns was also in strong agreement with the views Hamilton expressed in his speech.

"He is very intelligent, very well-taught and says what he feels without caring if he's hated for it, and I agree with that," Barns said.

Hamilton closed his speech with an analogy of an injured baby eagle raised among chickens. He said that although the eagle was afraid to fly, he tried and he soared. The bird never forgot that he was an eagle.

"There are people who believe that they can belittle you for speaking a certain language or coming from a different part of town," Hamilton said. "They think you're a chicken, who has to peck out a place on the ground.

"We have to open up the coops of bigotry, hatred, and anything else hindering us, and that will allow us to soar."

Katie McDevitt is a reporter for the Web Devil. Reach her at kathleen.mcdevitt@asu.edu.


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