WASHINGTON - Reps. Brad Ellsworth and Dave Reichert (R-WA) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today at a bipartisan press conference to mark the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, and to announce the introduction of legislation that would cut off the source of "murderabilia." Dan Levey, President of the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, also spoke at the press conference.

"As a career law enforcement officer, I saw firsthand the devastation violent crime brings to the victims' families and to the communities where it occurs. Allowing America's most heinous criminals and murderers to profit from their crimes is a slap in the face to their victims' families," said Ellsworth, a former Sheriff from Vanderburgh County, Indiana. "As we observe the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, I'm proud to co-sponsor this legislation to preserve the right of the victims' families to grieve with peace and dignity."   

"It's unfortunate that we even have to address this issue through legislation," said Reichert, former Sheriff of King County, Washington. "The families of these victims experience enormous, life-consuming pain after losing a loved one, and the exploitation of the crime, especially by the criminal, is unacceptable. I applaud Senator Cornyn for introducing his legislation and I will work diligently with Congressman Ellsworth in the House to shut down this despicable industry."

"It's reprehensible that when criminals are supposed to be paying their debt for their misdeeds, many are instead turning to the Internet, exploiting their notoriety and profiting from their deplorable crimes," U.S. Sen. Cornyn said. "Even more tragic is the effect this practice has on crime victims and their families. Many have already suffered immeasurably through the crime itself and the often lengthy process of bringing the criminal to justice. These murderabilia sales slow the healing process, prevent the closure that crime victims deserve and make them suffer yet again. I commend Congressmen Reichert and Ellsworth for introducing this bipartisan legislation in the House. I hope all of our colleagues will act quickly to protect the victims of this deplorable practice and make sure crime does not pay."

Murderabilia, a term coined by activist Andy Kahan, refers to "shocking and soul-chilling" prison collectibles, ranging from Ted Bundy's hubcaps to a criminals own fingernails which have been put on sale on internet sites such as murderauction.com, among others. With the work of Kahan, eBay ceased the sale of Murderabilia in 2001.