Washington, DC –  Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA) today testified on behalf of Mynisha’s Law (H.R. 1069) at a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.  Mynisha’s Law is a gang prevention bill sponsored by Rep. Baca and Senator Barbara Boxer, and named after eleven year old murder victim and San Bernardino resident, Mynisha Crenshaw. 

“Too many of our nation’s innocent children have fallen victim to the horrors of gang violence,” said Rep. Baca.  “I am proud to work with Senator Boxer and sponsor this responsible legislation, which establishes an Interagency Gang Prevention Task Force to coordinate efforts focused on gang prevention.”

Mynisha Crenshaw was killed on November 13, 2005, while eating Sunday dinner with her family, after gang members shot at the Crenshaw residence, located at the Cedarwood Apartments in the Del Rosa neighborhood of San Bernardino.   

Mynisha’s Law would allow the Attorney General to establish a Federal Gang Task Force, comprised of members from the Departments of Justice, Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development.  The Task Force would create a comprehensive national gang prevention strategy that would focus on all aspects of the fight against gangs – from at-risk youth intervention to literacy, employment, and community policing. 

“Our local governments and law enforcement officials have done a good job at starting to address the problem of gang violence,” added Rep. Baca.  “It is our duty in Congress to provide them with the federal assistance necessary to keep crime off the streets and make our communities safer for everyone.” 

The Senate version of Mynisha’s Law, sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer, was incorporated into a larger gang prevention bill, S. 456, which passed the Senate on September 21, 2007.  The bill now awaits further action from the House Judiciary Committee before it can come to the floor of the House of Representatives for a final vote on passage. 


“It is important that we explore all avenues in the fight against gang violence,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “We must not lose hope.  We are fighting for the future, to make tomorrow a better and safer place for our children.”