ICMYI: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members and Other House Leaders Request DoD Inspector General to Conduct an Independent Investigation into Specialist Vanessa Guillen’s Case
Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led a letter with 87 Members of Congress in support of Rep. Speier and Sen. Gillibrand's request for Sean O'Donnell, the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General, to conduct an independent investigation into Fort Hood's handling of Specialist (SPC) Vanessa Guillen's case. Rep. Speier serves as Chair of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee and Senator Gillibrand is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Personnel of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"The United States military has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of the young women and men that take an oath to defend our country. In SPC Guillen's case, the U.S. Army failed both Vanessa and her family," said Congresswoman Garcia.
"There are still many questions left unanswered surrounding her disappearance and about how Fort Hood conducted its investigations. Congress must act to guarantee this never happens again to another soldier. This is why my colleagues and I strongly support Rep. Speier and Sen. Gillibrand's request for the DoD Inspector General to conduct a full, independent investigation into Fort Hood's handling of SPC Vanessa Guillen's case," concluded Congresswoman Garcia.
Background:
SPC Vanessa Guillen was a Houston native and a 20-year old Latina soldier that was last seen in Fort Hood on April 22nd, 2020. Human remains were found near Leon River in Bell County, Texas on June 30th, 2020. Since then, one suspect has been apprehended by law enforcement and the other committed suicide when he confronted. The human remains found last week were positively identified as SPC Vanessa Guillen yesterday, July 5th, 2020.
The final letter can be seen here.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the