On the recordSeptember 21, 2020
I stand here today in honor of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind and the Native American women missing and murdered with no justice in sight. Savanna was just 22, a member of the Spirit Lake Tribe. She was 8 months pregnant and expecting her baby any day when she was murdered in August of 2017. A neighbor in her apartment building lured her next door and attacked her. When her body was found, the coroner could not determine if the cause of death was the loss of blood from the vicious wounds on her body or strangulation from the rope around her neck. Instead of getting to hold her brand-new baby in her arms and imagining a bright future for herself and her little one, Savanna's future was cut short. Savanna's death shines a light on a horrific reality in this country where Native American women face a murder rate 10 times higher than the national average. The statistics should shock everyone listening to this debate. Eighty-four percent of Native women experience some form of violence in their lifetime--84 percent. Think of your 50 closest friends and family members, and now imagine 42 out of those 50 experiencing some type of violence. We cannot stand silent. We stand together, heartbroken, disgusting, and horrified, but we cannot stand back and do nothing. I introduced the House version of Savanna's Act to address the disturbing rates of missing and murdered Native American women, and I was very honored to have the opportunity to work with my good friend, Ms.…
