The Remarks Of Speaker Sheldon Silver

Bill Signing: The Electronic Security & Targeting Of Online Predators Act (E-Stop)

State Capitol, 2nd Floor, The Red Room
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

{As Prepared For Delivery}

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, joined by (from left) Assembly Codes Committee Chair Joseph Lentol and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, watches as Governor David Paterson signs important E-Stop legislation to protect children from Internet sex predators. Video Excerpt 1 Video Excerpt 2 View Press Release

Governor Paterson. Attorney General Cuomo. Senator Skelos. Minority Leader Smith. Minority Leader Tedisco. Members of the Legislature.

Speaking for the Assembly Majority, we applaud Governor Paterson for his leadership in signing this legislation into law, the toughest and most comprehensive of its kind in the nation.

We likewise applaud Attorney General Cuomo, for his leadership both in investigating on-line predation and for working with the Legislature to craft common-sense legislation that will make surfing the Internet safer for New Yorkers, especially our children.

A number of Assembly leaders have been working to improve Internet safety, but I particularly want to note the efforts and the wisdom of my colleague, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, who is the Chairman of our Committee on Codes.

As I said when the Attorney General unveiled E-STOP on January 29th of this year, it seems to be a universal law that with each innovation come both blessings and curses. So it is with the Internet.

Bringing people together and the free exchange of ideas are, more often than not, a good thing, as this bill signing attests.

However, in the hands of a sexual predator, such Internet social networking sites as My Space and Facebook present a clear risk to innocent and unwitting New Yorkers.

Given the secrecy, the manipulation and the deception that often accompanies sex-offending behavior, the Internet - with its promise of anonymity - provides a perfect tool for convicted sex offenders who are on probation or parole to circumvent their supervision, undermine their treatment, and "reemerge" as cyber-stalkers.

By imposing reasonable and appropriate Internet restrictions on all convicted sex offenders who are required to register under Megan's Law, we can prevent recidivism and make the Internet safer for everyone.

Still, even armed with E-STOP, it is incumbent upon all of us: parents, schools, libraries, Internet service providers and government leaders to remain vigilant and to continue to work together in clearing the information superhighway of the "highwaymen" who threaten public safety.

Again, I commend Governor Paterson and Attorney General Cuomo for their leadership on this issue.

We look forward to working with you and with our colleagues in the Senate, to make both the real world and the virtual world as safe as possible for our children and for all New Yorkers.

Thank you.