BY MARC CAPUTO AND EVAN S. BENN
mcaputo@MiamiHerald.com
TALLAHASSEE - State Rep. Gus Barreiro, a Miami Beach Republican, was honored
Thursday by black lawmakers for standing up for children who
were abused and died while in the care of the state's Department of Juvenile
Justice.
Barreiro, his voice quavering, accepted the praise with some reservation,
saying he did not want it to appear he was exploiting the Jan. 6 death of
14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson after he was beaten by guards at a boot camp
in Panama City.
In the fallout, Barreiro has pushed boot camp reforms and helped bring
enough attention to the case that it's being reviewed now by an independent
prosecutor. Also, a state law-enforcement chief resigned in disgrace over
his handling of the case and statements comparing two black leaders to an
outlaw and a terrorist.
''I feel very uncomfortable standing before you because, believe me, I would
bring Martin Lee Anderson back,'' Barreiro said on the floor of the state
House of Representatives. ``I met Martin Lee Anderson's parents one time. I
never really spoke to them, I just met them.
'Thank you very much on behalf of Martin Lee Anderson. I actually want to
give this to the parents because they have to understand that people in this
body -- everybody here -- you're voting to make sure that kids' lives are
better,'' he said, referring to the House budget proposal that includes
money for the boot camp reforms.
Before Anderson's case, Barreiro also pushed for an inquiry into a DJJ
facility in Miami where 14-year-old Omar Paisley died in 2003 after he
allegedly was neglected by nurses. Paisley's death resulted in numerous
firings and criminal charges.
Rep. Arthenia Joyner, a Tampa Democrat, credited Barreiro for taking a stand
for people who otherwise have little influence in the legislative process.
''This man is a true champion for children, for all children. It's been
wonderful to have an advocate who stands up and says what needs to be
said,'' Joyner said.
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Hello : My name is Diana Matthews , I just came across your article ---
Legislator honored for leading DJJ boot camp reform. I think the article is
great, but it does not do Mr Gus Barrieo justice for all he has tried to do
since the death of my son Daniel J Matthews PCDJJ 2-14-86 - 5-31-03 and all
the other children he continues to fight for in a system that just refuses
to see, the abuse , neglect and deaths here in Florida. I could only wish to
see more men like Mr Barriero as a State Rep for there are far to few. Here
is a site for the Loving Memory of my son Daniel Matthews, Martin Lewis
Anderson ,Willie Lawrence Durden, III, Omar Paisley, Shawn Smith, Michael
Ibarra-Wiltsie, Anthony Dumas, Chad Andrew Franza . All Have died while
under the care of Florida DJJ or affiliated programs funded by the
Department of Juvenile Justice.
http://www.freewebs.com/dinmyheart/
Forver in tears Diana Matthews
