A Hero of The Zero, Grier Weeks!

The CARE Act was a bill which, if passed into law, would have eliminated the incest exception laws that exist in 38 states—the laws that give special bonuses to rapists who grow their own victims. The bill died when the 106th Congress came to an end. But Grier Weeks didn't let the idea die.

Grier forged ahead with a bill that would eliminate the incest exception in his state, North Carolina. He found sponsors for the bill in the state senate and house, and campaigned for both. And on September 23, 2002, his untiring efforts got it done.

On September 23, 2002, at 7:59 PM, Governor Michael F. Easley of North Carolina signed House Bill 1276—the "Close Incest Loophole" bill—into law. It is now Session law 2002-119. The CARE Act didn't survive in a Federal form, but thanks to the unceasing efforts of Grier Weeks and a group of determined volunteers, it took on new life in the state of North Carolina. Mr. Weeks had this to say: "This law is both pro-child and anti-crime. Senator Metcalf and Representative Nesbitt stood up for all those children who have been betrayed—first by family members and then by our justice system. They also changed North Carolina law to reflect the values of decent people. Our state is a little more civilized today because of what they did."

He promised to add more later, but right now Mr. Weeks and crew are doing some well-earned celebrating. And everyone who cares about truly protecting our nation's children is joining in.

"Taking the CARE Act to the States: The North Carolina Experience"