Lucy McBath honored by Marcy's Law for Georgia at Cobb County ceremony

U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, who represents Georgia's Sixth Congressional District, received the Marcy's Law for Georgia "Champion" award at a ceremony in Cobb County where advocates and public officials praised her work on victims' rights and her efforts in Congress.

The award recognizes McBath's legislative and advocacy work on behalf of victims and survivors. Marcy's Law for Georgia, which speakers said began in 2008, promotes constitutional and statutory rights for crime victims, including measures to ensure they are informed and supported through the justice process.

"I am so deeply honored to receive the champion award from Marcy's Law for Georgia because I am so truly committed to be just that," U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath said. McBath recounted the loss of her son Jordan to gun violence in November 2012 and said the experience has shaped her work in Congress. She told the audience she will continue to press for legislation she described as removing barriers to justice for families of homicide victims.

District Attorney Sonya Allen invited the community to a forthcoming homicide vigil in Cobb County and said the district attorney's office aims to center victims and survivors in its work. "Behind every law, behind every policy, behind every number, there are real people," District Attorney Sonya Allen said, urging community attendance at the vigil.

Rita Davis Cannon, identified as director of victim services for the Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia and an advisory board member of Marcy's Law for Georgia, opened remarks by tracing Marcy's Law's mission to ensure victims "are informed, protected, and given a voice throughout the justice process." Cannon said the coin presented at the ceremony is "a symbol of honor, unity, and service."

Mel Hewitt, a former law enforcement officer and founding partner at Isenberg and Hewitt, praised McBath's bipartisan work on victim-focused legislation and recited several federal measures McBath has supported, including the Safer Communities Act, the VOCA Fix Act and the Victims' Voices Act. "She is a true champion of justice," Hewitt said as he presented the award.

McBath described the Justice for Murder Victims Act, which she and Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany reintroduced, as legislation to eliminate the "year-and-a-day" rule that can bar prosecution when a victim dies more than a year and a day after an assault. She said partner legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Ossoff and Sen. Chuck Grassley and that the bill aims to give families more time and legal tools to pursue accountability.

Speakers at the event emphasized support services for victims and families and the role of legislative changes in strengthening those services. The remarks were ceremonial and advocative in nature; no formal governmental motions or votes were recorded during the event.

The program also included expressions of community solidarity and invitations for attendees to join local remembrance activities for homicide victims. "Your presence matters. It tells survivors and their grieving families that they are not alone and that we remember and that we care," District Attorney Sonya Allen said.

A homicide vigil in Cobb County was mentioned as occurring "this week" in the remarks; no date was specified at the event.