Garcia Holds Ceremony for ‘Military Justice Reform’ After Tragic Death of U.S. Army Specialist

Texas Representative Sylvia Garcia (D) held a ceremony at the post office on Galveston Road in Houston to honor U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén.

4 years ago, Spc. Guillén was tragically murdered by another U.S. soldier. Guillén’s death sparked an outcry for “military justice reform.”

“Today, we dedicate this moment to the life and legacy of SPC. Vanessa Guillén, as we immortalize her courage through the renaming of this post office. SPC. Vanessa Guillén transforms from a local hero into an eternal presence in our daily lives,” said Congresswoman Garcia.

“Vanessa was a strong and ambitious young woman who was taken from her family and Houston much too soon. However, because of her, countless veterans and service members can live without fear. I hope this post office renaming brings some comfort to Vanessa's family and loved ones,” continued the Texas lawmaker.

Last year, President Joe Biden (D) signed a law officially renaming the 5302 Galveston Road building in Houston, TX, as the Vanessa Guillén Post Office Building. Guillén’s post office building is the first post office to be named after a Latina in Houston.

Guillén graduated from César Chávez High School, only a few blocks away from the newly dedicated post office.

Garcia has been busy recently. The congresswoman spoke to House Rules Democrats in an attempt to promote her American Dream and Promise Act.

“Today I spoke to @RulesDemocrats about my bill, the American Dream and Promise Act. We must pass a real immigration solution that 70% of Americans support. Dreamers are American in their hearts, it's time for them to be Americans on paper and have a path to citizenship,” said Garcia in a tweet. 

“This is a real bipartisan solution for our immigration system, which is broken. Our role as lawmakers is a special one. We are empowered by the Constitution to make laws which are necessary and proper to serve the nation as it changes in whatever form that may be. When issues arise across the country, we must find creative, common sense ways to fix them,” said the Texas lawmaker.