Until I Could Be Sure

This book is not only about the death penalty. It is a chronicle that teaches us about integrity, leadership, growth, and the struggle to do the right thing. Those who care to listen will be touched by the lessons from Governor Ryan’s journey for decades to come. He leads us on.

-- Michael L. Radelet, University of Colorado
Governor Ryan’s actions are a pure beacon of light in a dark era in our nation. His is a resounding voice of conscience in a time of corrosive political maneuvering. As for Gov. Ryan’s commutation of the sentences of those on death row - I see this as his most inspiring act of moral courage. He could easily have left the condemned languishing in legal limbo, but he followed his moral stance for a moratorium through to a righteous conclusion for those remaining on death row, freeing them from the anguish and terror of death at the hands of the state. Gov. Ryan’s act of moral integrity triumphed over political expediency and has illumined a path for our nation. May we all walk in his light. -- Sister Helen Prejean, Author of "Dead Man Walking"
George Ryan’s courageous act made our dreams reality. It was, in my view, one of the single most impactful events in propelling the abolition movement forward, making possible the successes we've seen ever since. -- Mike Farrell, best known as 'BJ Hunnicutt' of television's legendary "M*A*S*H", President of Dealth Penalty Focus, Author of “Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist” and “Of Mule and Man”
Illinois put innocence on the map and that is still the most influential issue for many people when it comes to the death penalty. -- Richard Dieter, former Executive Director, Death Penalty Information Center
Under Governor George Ryan's leadership, Illinois consolidated the forces that diminished the death penalty’s use, emboldening the abolition of the death penalty in other states, other governors' moratoria on executions, and prosecutors' decisions across the country to stop using the punishment. -- James Liebman, Professor, Columbia Law School, Author of "The Wrong Carlos: Anatomy of a Wrongful Execut