Twenty Years Ago This Week: Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, introduced Senate Bill 04-46 with the goal of what he said was to help “restore the dignity of sexual assault victims” by allowing them to remain anonymous should they choose to do so.

Groff’s goal for the measure was to protect survivors from further harassment in court.

“This is an appropriate and substantive response because of the boorish and outrageous behavior we have seen lately in certain cases,” Groff said. “This bill sends a strong statement on behalf of these victims.”

SB 46 allowed for the prosecution to motion the court for both a protective order and to allow the victim to use an alias. The bill would require the court to grant the motion on request and allowed the court to sanction a party for repeated violation of the order.

The bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 6 to 1 vote.

In other news, Senate Democrats defeated SB 125, sponsored by Sen. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, after picking up four Republican votes to kill the measure. The controversial bill would have prohibited a local government from enacting any ordinance with respect to minimum wage, including “livable wage” or “prevailing age.”

“This is a two-fold victory,” said Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada. “This is a victory for the working class, who work so hard for a modest paycheck, and this is a victory for the autonomy of cities and counties to determine what is best for their communities without interference from the state.”

Ten Years Ago: A staunch, outspoken advocate for the developmentally disabled and 30-year fixture at the state Capitol, Clarence Miller, died just days short of his 64th birthday.

In 2004, former Senate President John Andrews, R-Englewood, had recognized Miller as the honorary “101st” legislator for his unrelenting advocacy for his community.

At his memorial service at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Colorado Health Care Association President Arlene Miles, shared an emotional tribute to her friend.

“Clarence was a memorable and special person … Those who were touched by Clarence’s magic were blessed,” Miles said. “He was a valued friend who made more of the talents the gods gave him than most. He was a political gadfly of the first degree.”

Ten years prior: Miller had given an interview to The Colorado Quarterly Magazine about his early life, which included years of institutionalization. From ages eight to 14, Miller lived at the Ridge Home where, he said, “There was nothing to do. I got no education.”

At age 14, Miller was sent to a hospital in Pueblo where corporal punishment was practiced and if the word suicide was said, “…you would be tied down with belts. The cops used four belts.”

A decade later at age 21, Miller was discharged from the state hospital and came to Denver. After having all his money stolen while staying at a shelter, he lived on the streets until a priest named Daniel Morgan helped Miller move into Section 8 housing.

Miller tried to describe his disability, but said that the Pueblo hospital had called him “retarded with a low IQ.”

I hate the word retarded,” Miller told The Colorado Quarterly. “I don’t think I’m retarded. I do too many things in my life to be retarded. I think I’m normal.”

At the memorial service, Alan Salazar, chief strategy officer for the Gov. John Hickenlooper read a letter and proclamation from the governor, making January 31, 2014, ‘Clarence Eugene Miller Day.’

“His passion for bettering his community was singularly unique, and is a model for all of us to strive for,” Hickenlooper wrote. “His kindness and perseverance knew no bounds, and we are deeply saddened by his loss.

Rachael Wright is the author of the Captain Savva Mystery series, with degrees in Political Science and History from Colorado Mesa University, and is a contributing writer to Colorado Politics and The Gazette.