STATEMENT BY SHARON ROCHA.(Transcript)

This statement was released in audio recoring and transcript by House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), February 26, 2004.

[Editor's note: You can listen to the audio recording of Sharon Rocha's message (MP3 format) on your computer: http://www.nrlc.org/Unborn_Victims/Release022604.html].

Hello. I am Sharon Rocha.

I am the mother of Laci Peterson and the grandmother of Conner Peterson. I want to thank the House of Representatives for bringing Laci and Conner's law to a vote today, and for giving me this opportunity to speak about an issue that's very important to me and my family.

As you know, Laci and Conner were cruelly murdered. In this difficult time, my family is grateful that under California law, the murders of Laci and Conner can both be prosecuted. But for the families of many other murder victims across the country, there can be no such comfort. Federal law does not recognize that these crimes have two victims.

When I became aware that Congresswoman Melissa Hart was working on a bill to correct this problem, I contacted her to express my support. I asked her to name it "Laci and Conner's Law" in memory of my daughter and grandson.

I am grateful to Congresswoman Hart, the House leadership, and the many congressmen, both Republicans and Democrats, who have agreed to support this commonsense legislation.