Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2010, otherwise known as Katie's Law, will help prevent violent crime, help exonerate the innocent, give our police access to cutting-edge forensic techniques, and reduce the cost of criminal investigations. More importantly, Katie's Law will help victims of violent crime and their families get answers and the closure that they need. Katie's Law encourages the States to adopt effective DNA collection procedures. States that meet the minimum standards set by the bill are entitled to a 5 percent bonus in Byrne/JAG funding for State and local law enforcement. States that adopt the enhanced standards are entitled to a 10 percent bonus. These funds are in addition to funds awarded through Byrne/JAG. States that do not adopt collection procedures that meet the new Federal standards are not penalized in any way. Katie's Law also directs the Attorney General to report to Congress once a year on the progress made by the States in adopting new collection procedures. Katie's Law is named for Katie Sepich, who is remembered as a vibrant young woman and a graduate student at New Mexico State University. In the summer of 2003, Katie was brutally raped and murdered just outside her home. Katie's parents, Jayann and Dave Sepich, waited for 3 long years as the investigation continued, without producing any strong leads.…”