Memorials
Honoring Veterans & 1st Responders
Senate Public Safety
Committee Kills Morrell ‘s
Bill to Hold Accountability for Vandalism
It
is our duty to ensure that future generations understand the significance of
these individuals’ service and that their sacrifices are never forgotten. This
vote calls into question the resolve to hold vandals accountable for
dishonoring the memories of fallen American heroes.”
Wednesday April 20, despite
bipartisan support, Democrats on the Senate Committee on Public Safety rejected
Senate Bill 1080 by Senator Mike Morrell (Republican -Rancho Cucamonga),
which would have held individuals who vandalize the gravesites or memorials of Veterans
or First Responders to greater accountability for their crimes.
“Veterans,
peace officers, firefighters, and other first responders risk their lives in
order to protect our communities and nation,” ……….
It
is our duty to ensure that future generations understand the significance of
these individuals’ service and that their sacrifices are never forgotten. This
vote calls into question the resolve to hold vandals accountable for
dishonoring the memories of fallen American heroes.”
Senate Bill 1080 was brought forward by
the American G.I. Forum in response to the Summer
2015 vandalism of the Mexican American Veterans Memorial in Sacramento’s
Capitol Park(link is external). The statue, also known as El Soldado, had the end of its rifle
broken off. It was originally commissioned by a group of Mexican-American
mothers whose sons died during World War II.
* Senate
Bill 1080 is supported by various Veterans
and
public safety groups including:
American
Legion, AMVETS, VFW Department of California,
California
Association of County Veterans Service Officers,
Vietnam
Veterans of America – California State Council,
Military
Officers Association of America – California Council of Chapters,
California
State Commanders Veterans Council,
Los
Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association
Senate Bill 1080 was blocked by a vote of 3-4!
* * *