Last month, NADP lost a long-time supporter and tireless advocate for death penalty abolition and other social justice issues. John Taylor was an active member of NADP’s board of directors and a vital leader during NADP’s early days.
As director of the Nebraska Civil Liberties Union (now ACLU Nebraska), John took NADP under his wing, providing office space and access to NCLU resources that were crucial to NADP’s existence. John was not only generous with resources, but also with his time. Above and beyond his work at the NCLU, John assisted NADP by gathering the support of NCLU membership, testifying at hearings, helping with lawsuits concerning death row conditions, and working in conjunction with attorneys on death row appeals.
John was known for his even temper, calm, and dependability, and even though he took on a great deal of work, he never let a task fall through. He had a warm sense of humor and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. You can read more about John and the many other causes he championed in the Lincoln Journal Star’s recent story on his life.
Thanks to Dan Schlitt, Jean Eden, and DeCourcy Squire for their assistance in gathering information and contributing their thoughts and memories to this piece.