Political Quotes

“In 2008, Maria Lauterbach, a female marine from my community, stepped forward to report a sexual assault from another marine. She was subsequently viciously murdered by the accused. Her mother, Mary Lauterbach, took up the issue of sexual assault in the military, and I have worked with her since 2008 on legislative solutions and in trying to change the culture in the military. With that, I rise today in support of H.R. 1864, the work of Representative Sanchez and Representative Walorski, as part of that effort for us to change the culture and to provide the tools to victims in the military. The problem in the military with sexual assault is clear: victims feel revictimized by the system, and perpetrators feel safe. Our efforts legislatively are to change that dynamic in which perpetrators feel unsafe so that we can rise to the level of preventing sexual assaults and, of course, to rally around victims so they feel safe. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast at the Commandant of the Marines' home to discuss the issue of sexual assault in the military. During that breakfast, a female marine, a lieutenant colonel, spoke up and admitted that if she were sexually assaulted that she would not report it. She said the cost in the military is just too high. No one should serve in the military and feel as if one who is subject to a crime is less secure if one steps forward and reports it, especially a crime as heinous as sexual assault. H.R.…”