HONOLULU - The Hawai’i Republican Party today unveiled a radio ad, titled “Marc’s Story,” that will run on Maui highlighting Democrat State Representative Joe Bertram’s efforts to protect a convicted child predator from a prison sentence.

To hear the ad click here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4moCQO1_Frk

The radio ad features Marc Klaas, whose daughter Polly was kidnapped and murdered in 1993. Klaas has become a national leader for protecting children from sex offenders and agreed to record the ad after reading about Bertram’s shocking actions last week.

Rep. Bertram’s friend, Mark Marcantonio, was convicted in a police sting of trying to lure what he thought was a 14-year old girl over the Internet for sex. Marcantonio told the police decoy that “he had done this before” with a 15-year old girl. Incredibly, Bertram urged the judge to not sentence Marcantonio to prison, arguing that the crime was “imaginary” and “non-violent.”

“Rep. Bertram used his position as an elected official to try to help a child predator avoid prison time. Bertram said the crime was ‘imaginary’ and suggested it was ‘non-violent.’ Attempting to lure a 14-year old girl over the Internet for sex is neither imaginary, nor non-violent. Bertram’s comments and actions are appalling and should be denounced by all, including his fellow elected officials,” said Marc Klaas.

Last year, Bertram was the only state legislator to vote against mandatory sentences for sex offenders who attempt to lure children over the Internet for sex.

Hawai’i GOP Chairman Willes K. Lee called on elected officials to publicly denounce Bertram’s actions. “House Speaker Say and all Democrats should join us and immediately condemn Rep. Bertram and send a message to put the safety of our children before partisan politics.”

Mr. Lee said the radio ads will run all week in Maui.

Title: “Marc’s Story” Klaas: My name is Marc Klaas. My daughter Polly was kidnapped and murdered in 1993. No parent should feel that pain. That’s why I dedicated my life to passing child protection laws. In this fight, I’ve seen some bad politicians. But State Representative Joe Bertram stands out. Just last week, Bertram went to court to help a child predator avoid prison-time. A 52 year old man tried to lure a 14-year old girl over the Internet for sex. And Bertram didn’t think he should go to jail. That hits close to home… Polly was 12 when she was killed. As she was kidnapped from her room, she asked her killer to please not hurt her mom. In the worst moment, my brave little daughter thought of protecting others. Shouldn’t we expect the same from our elected officials? Please call Joe Bertram at 808-586-8525. Tell him to start standing up for our kids.

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