Austin (1080 KRLD)- Remembering Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen and ensuring she didn’t die in vain is the goal of legislation being pushed at the State Capitol. The Texas Legislature is considering various bills having to do with the life and death of the 20-year-old who first went missing nearly a year ago.
House Concurrent Resolution 51, filed by Representative Christina Morales would urge the US Congress to pass the federal I am Vanessa Guillén Act. The State Senate companion bill was filed by State Senator Carol Alvarado, who also filed Senate Bill 1185 relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 3 in Harris County as the Vanessa Guillen Memorial Highway. Senator César Blanco filed Senate Bill 623, which would support victims of sexual assault in the Texas Military Forces with additional resources and avenues for justice.
Other bills include House Bill 4250 by Rep. Ina Minjarez, which would establish a state sexual assault prevention and response program for the Texas Military Department, and House Bill 2556 by Rep. Victoria Neave, which would designate September 30 as Vanessa Guillén Day.
At a State Capitol news conference, Lupe Guillen, Vanessa’s younger sister gave an emotional plea to state lawmakers on behalf of the legislation. “She only lived 20 years, and she had plenty to live, everyone does,” said Lupe. “So now I’m asking for everyone’s support to pass the legislation and to hold those accountable in my sister’s murder.”