Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 227, Savanna's Act. Savanna's Act is named after Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22-year- old member of the Spirit Lake Tribe, who was murdered in my district in August of 2017. Her disappearance and murder devastated the community and the entire State of North Dakota. Tragically, Savanna was found dead 8 days after she was reported missing. Thankfully, her baby was found alive, despite being cut from Savanna's womb. Savanna's story brought to light the fact that the data regarding missing and murdered indigenous people, particularly women and girls, is scattered across various government databases, if it even exists at all. Savanna's heartbreaking story, unfortunately, is not unique. A woman named Olivia Lone Bear disappeared from the Fort Berthold Reservation just a month later, in October of 2017. She was found in a submerged truck in Lake Sakakawea in July of 2018. These are just two recent examples from my State. There are hundreds more across the Nation. Savanna's Act will begin to help address this crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people. The bill will establish guidelines and best practices for law enforcement agencies across the country. It will also improve coordination amongst those agencies. Finally, it will enhance reporting, recordkeeping, and communication for law enforcement and families of victims.…”