[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  (Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the crime bill 
conferees to adopt key provisions of the Violence Against Women Act in 
their conference report.
  This act authorizes new and expanded programs critical to protecting 
women.
  The conferees must retain the $1.8 billion funding and the title III 
civil rights remedy for victims of gender-motivated violence contained 
in the Senate version. This remedy is essential because it recognizes 
that gender-motivated assaults are bias crimes which violate our belief 
in equality for all.
  The battered immigrant spouse section of the House bill must also be 
retained. It allows battered immigrant women to self-petition for 
naturalization, and avoid the dependence on abusers which many endure 
solely to avoid deportation.
  I implore my colleagues to retain the strong provisions of the 
Violence Against Women Act as a desperately needed first step toward 
making America a safe place for women, their families, and the Nation.

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