[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1049 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1049

Recognizing the murders of the Imperial Avenue Eleven as a tragedy and 
  an example of the need to continue the fight to eradicate violence 
                             against women.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 29, 2010

Ms. Fudge submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the murders of the Imperial Avenue Eleven as a tragedy and 
  an example of the need to continue the fight to eradicate violence 
                             against women.

Whereas the Imperial Avenue Eleven include Tonia Carmichael, Nancy Cobbs, 
        Tishana Culver, Crystal Dozier, Telacia Fortson, Amelda Hunter, Leshanda 
        Long, Michelle Mason, Kim Yvette Smith, Diane Turner, and Janice Webb;
Whereas the Imperial Avenue Eleven are 11 African-American women who were 
        murdered by strangulation and several of whom also raped;
Whereas the Imperial Avenue Eleven's remains were first discovered in October of 
        2009 on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, at the home of Anthony 
        Sowell, a registered sex offender and convicted attempted rapist;
Whereas many of the families and friends of the Imperial Avenue Eleven reported 
        them as missing persons to the authorities months before their remains 
        were found or an investigation was commenced;
Whereas the case of the Imperial Avenue Eleven gained national and international 
        attention, demonstrating that violence against women continues to plague 
        communities in the United States 15 years after Congress enacted the 
        Violence Against Women Act;
Whereas despite the recent 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, 
        violence affects women of all races and ethnicities;
Whereas 17.7 percent of White women, 18.8 percent of Black women, 6.8 percent of 
        Asian-Pacific Islander women, 34.1 percent of Native American and 
        Alaskan women, and 24.4 percent of mixed race women report that they 
        have suffered a rape or attempted rape in their lifetime; and
Whereas far too many women in communities and neighborhoods in the United 
        States, and across the world, continue to suffer from violence: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the murders of the Imperial Avenue Eleven as 
        a tragedy and an example of the need to continue the fight to 
        eradicate violence against women;
            (2) extends condolences to the families and loved ones of 
        the Imperial Avenue Eleven;
            (3) recognizes the relentless work of local and national 
        organizations in the fight to end violence against women and to 
        bring attention to the murders of the Imperial Avenue Eleven;
            (4) recognizes a significant need for an increase in 
        efforts and awareness to reduce the epidemic of violence 
        against women; and
            (5) calls upon men and women of all ages, communities, 
        organizations, and all levels of government, to work in 
        collaboration to end violence against women.
                                 <all>