8/2: Join Telephone Town Hall with Rep. Harry Teague on Crime and Public Safety

Congressman Teague listens as Jayann Sepich speaks at briefing on Katie's Law in Washington, DC

From the office of Rep. Harry Teague:
This Monday, August 2nd, from 6:15 to 7:15 PM, Congressman Harry Teague (NM-02) will host a Telephone Town Hall for people across southern New Mexico to discuss efforts to keep New Mexican families and communities safe. Teague will also give constituents an update on his national Katie’s Law legislation. The event will give constituents across the district the opportunity to ask questions and share with Congressman Teague their concerns about crime prevention and public safety in New Mexico. Teague will be joined on the call by federal and local law officials, as well as Jayann Sepich, the mother of Katie Sepich and a champion of the legislation.

Harry Teague encourages any of his constituents who are interested in joining the Telephone Town Hall to contact his office at 1-888-9-TEAGUE to get details on how to participate.

The Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act (H.R. 4614) is a bipartisan bill that encourages states to use forensic DNA as a means of solving and preventing violent crimes. Specifically, it promotes the practice of collecting DNA samples from suspects of certain felony crimes upon their arrest, at the same time their fingerprints are taken. The bill was introduced in February of this year, and passed the House with overwhelming support on May 18.

Katie’s Law is named for Katie Sepich, from Carlsbad, New Mexico. Katie was 22 years old when she was brutally raped and murdered in Las Cruces, New Mexico. If New Mexico had at that time required a DNA sample to be taken upon arrest, Katie’s killer would have been caught three months after the murder when the murderer was arrested for another predatory crime. Instead, the killer was released back onto the streets, and it was three long years before he was finally apprehended again and linked to Katie’s murder. Congressman Teague worked with Katie’s parents, Jayann and David Sepich of Carlsbad, to develop the law.

Monday, August 2nd

WHO: Congressman Harry Teague

WHAT: Telephone Town Hall on Keeping New Mexican Communities Safe - An opportunity to share ideas, ask questions of Congressman Harry Teague about his national Katie’s Law legislation

WHEN: 6:15-7:15 PM MDT