By: Morales of Harris, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Alvarado) H.C.R. No. 51

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 22, 2021; May 3, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Veteran Affairs & Border Security; May 21, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 21, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.C.R. No. 51 By: Campbell

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The brutal murder of Vanessa Guillén and the reaction on social media highlight the needed support to the military's 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 concerns, including conflicts of interest 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 the U.S. House of Representatives; 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, legislation ensuring that necessary changes are made, such as preventing conflicts of interest, requiring independent investigations that are conducted by trained investigators, establishing a confidential reporting option for sexual harassment that can convert to a formal complaint, and directing the Government Accountability Office to evaluate response procedures related to missing service members; 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.

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