Slain Fort Hood soldier’s birthday could soon be “Vanessa Guillén Day” in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) - Texas could soon recognize “Vanessa Guillén Day” on September 30 in honor of the Fort Hood soldier who was brutally murdered on post in 2020.

House Bill 2248 passed the Texas House Defense & Veterans’ Affairs Committee and dedicates “Vanessa Guillén Day in memory of the life and tragic death of Vanessa Guillén and to increase awareness of and the military’s response to missing persons, sexual assault, and sexual harassment cases for service members.”

The recognition bestowed by the bill, if passed and signed by Governor Greg Abbott would go into effect on Sept. 1, 2023.

The bill was submitted by state Rep. Josey Garcia, D-San Antonio, who is newly elected to the 88th Texas Legislature and is part of the Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Mayra Guillen, Vanessa’s sister, stated earlier on March 23 that she was going to testify in front of the committee in the morning.

Mayra later tweeted, “VANESSA!! your birthday, September 30th, is now OFFICIALLY VANESSA GUILLEN DAY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ilysm sister. The bill has been passed! I literally just testified…”

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