87R7895 TBO-D
By: Alvarado S.C.R. No. 34
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The brutal murder of Vanessa Guillén and the
reaction from service members on social media highlight the
military's inadequate response to sexual harassment, sexual
assault, and missing persons; and
WHEREAS, Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillén had been missing
for more than two months before her remains were discovered, and the
murder investigation received widespread attention when law
enforcement identified the suspect, a fellow military member whom
Guillén was planning to formally accuse of sexual harassment; this
prompted countless members of the U.S. military to share their
personal experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault on
social media with the hashtag #IAmVanessaGuillen; and
WHEREAS, A close look at current military laws and policies
reveals concerning flaws, including conflicts of interest when
commanding officers make charging decisions, investigations being
made by untrained service members, and limited options for
reporting sexual harassment; too many military members have been
failed by this system, and immediate action is imperative to avoid
another tragedy; and
WHEREAS, To correct these issues, the I am Vanessa Guillén
Act has been introduced in Congress with bipartisan support from
the U.S. House of Representatives; if passed, the legislation would
ensure that necessary changes are made, such as transferring
charging decisions for sex-related offenses to a chief prosecutor,
requiring independent investigations that are conducted by trained
investigators, and establishing a confidential reporting option
for sexual harassment that can convert to a formal complaint at any
time; in addition, it would direct the Government Accountability
Office to evaluate response procedures relating to missing service
members; and
WHEREAS, The brave men and women who fight for our nation
deserve access to justice, and Congress should listen to the
service members calling for change in the aftermath of Vanessa
Guillén's murder; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to pass
the I am Vanessa Guillén Act; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.