RICHMOND, VA — Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today applauded Governor McDonnell’s support for restoration of rights for non-violent offenders.

Senator McEachin said, "I am so pleased that the governor has come to recognize that a constitutional amendment is need to grant an automatic restoration of rights to a person convicted of a non-violent felony, after he or she has served his time and completed his punishment, he should regain his citizenship rights, and be able to vote. I commend the governor for his previous efforts to restore citizens' rights and now his support of a constitutional amendment to make this automatic. I promise to work with him on this important legislation and am eager to do so.

"Our dearly missed and loved late Senator Yvonne Miller worked on this legislation for decades in her time in the Senate. For years, long before it was popular, she advocated for these individuals with compassion and understanding. Senator Miller was the conscience of the Virginia Senate and we all miss her wise counsel. The least we can do to commemorate her years of tireless efforts on this important issue is to name the legislation "The Yvonne B. Miller Voter Restoration Act." On her behalf, I promise to continue to work as hard as I can to ensure it passes.

"I call on my colleagues in both the House and Senate to vote in support of this Act, both in memory of Yvonne and because of the rightness of her cause. Let’s work with our governor and pass this legislation."