One of the most essential functions of government is to keep law-abiding citizens safe from those that would do them harm. To that end, we have a responsibility to take the most heinous criminals -- ones that commit the most unspeakable crimes -- and lock them up for a very, very long time.

Senator Penry sponsored legislation this session to mandate that any sex offender who preys on small children (those under the age of fifteen) stay in jail for at least 15 years.

Unfortunately, this bill was killed in committee in the house.

Read the bill here.