MADISON, WI – After the Wisconsin State Assembly voted to pass Assembly Bill 615—Relating to: creating a task force on missing and murdered African American women and girls, Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“Today was a historic day in Wisconsin. I am overjoyed to report that today my colleagues in the Wisconsin State Assembly voted to pass Assembly Bill 615—Relating to: creating a task force on missing and murdered African American women and girls. I cannot give enough thanks for all those who helped in the passage of this bill, from my co-authors Representative Michael Schraa, Senator Jesse James, and Senator LaTonya Johnson to all the legislators who co-sponsored this legislation, to all those who registered and wrote letters in support. I would especially like to thank the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Wisconsin Delegation, Mariah Cooley of Community Justice Action Fund, and Ms. Georgia Hill, mother of Lasheky Hill, who went missing nearly a year ago from Racine, for their continued support and advocacy for this bill.

The State of Wisconsin desperately needs this task force. This is about protecting our African American mothers, sisters, daughters, and neighbors. We must act boldly and decisively to investigate and prevent violence in our communities, and to bring healing and closure to victims and their families. This bill has broad bipartisan support, is victim-focused, and is law enforcement-friendly. It is a piece of legislation that has gathered both local and national media attention, because people across the state and country recognize the importance of this work. We cannot continue to be the state with the highest racial disparities and do nothing about it.

Every victim of gender based violence is important, but it is a demonstrated fact that some members of our community are less safe from violence than others. When the homicide victimization rate for our Black women is drastically higher than the rate for women of other races in our state, we have to ask questions. We have to investigate the root causes of this violence and use the information we find to help combat violence against people of all backgrounds, but especially those who are most vulnerable and at-risk. 

AB 615 has successfully passed the Assembly side of the legislature. Now, it needs a hearing in the Senate, a process which has been delayed because the Chair of the Government Operations Senate Committee refuses to put it on the calendar. It is shameful to refuse to hold a hearing because the Chairman doesn’t personally like the bill. It is beyond time that the people of Wisconsin and the families of victims across the state had their day to come before the Senate and speak to the importance of this bill. This legislation is necessary for the state of Wisconsin. It is necessary for the safety and well-being of African American women and girls across Wisconsin and for all victims of gendered violence who call this state home.”