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Ossoff-backed bill to investigate lynchings signed into law

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (left) campaigning in Athens with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.)
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (left) campaigning in Athens with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.)

A bipartisan measure authored by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and Texas Senator Ted Cruz to secure justice for lynching victims is now law.

Sen. Ossoff introduced the bill with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in February to extend the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board’s term and help investigate unsolved crimes.

The bill, which passed the Senate in September and the House in November, extends the Review Board’s term through 2027, which Ossoff says will ensure the Board has time to conduct its investigations.

"For the black women, black children, black men who were killed in some of the most heinous ways in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, with those crimes having been swept under the rug and never investigated, this is an opportunity to pursue justice in truth on behalf of those who were killed" Ossoff said. "There's no expiration date on justice, and that's why this effort must continue."

President Biden signed the law into effect on Monday.

Alexia Ridley joined WUGA as Television and Radio News Anchor and Reporter in 2013. When WUGA TV concluded operations, she became the primary Reporter for WUGA Radio. Alexia came to Athens from Macon where she served as the News Director and show host for WGXA TV. She's a career journalist and Savannah native hailing from the University of Michigan. However, Alexia considers herself an honorary UGA DAWG!