[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Cantwell). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentlewoman from 
California [Ms. Roybal-Allard] is recognized during morning business 
for 2 minutes.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, the recent killing of Nicole Brown 
Simpson has focused attention like never before on the national 
epidemic of domestic violence. Now that public awareness is at an all-
time high, the crime bill conferees have an unprecedented opportunity 
to report the Violence Against Women Act out of committee in its 
strongest possible form and help curtail an epidemic that is destroying 
the very centerpiece of our Nation; our families.
  Although many of the facts of the Simpson case are not known at this 
time, we do know the system designed to protect families against 
violence failed the entire Simpson family as it has failed countless 
families throughout this country.
  The story, unfortunately, is a familiar one:
  Police who were called on numerous occasions did not pursue arrest.
  Medical professionals who provided treatment did not intervene.
  The judge who presided over the one court proceeding found the 
pattern of violence only serious enough to warrant a sentence of 
community service.
  Now a young woman and an innocent bystander are dead, and two 
children will grow up without their mother, and possibly without their 
father.
  In Los Angeles where Nicole Simpson was killed, there is one domestic 
violence homicide every 2\1/2\ days. Yet in the entire county of Los 
Angeles with a population of more than 9 million people, there are only 
18 shelters for battered women, with only 250 available beds. 
Currently, two-thirds of the women who apply for shelter are turned 
away because there is no room.
  We can and must better for the women and children of America. It is 
imperative that the Violence Against Women Act be reported out of 
committee with its full funding.
  The full $1.8 billion in the Senate-passed bill will provide much-
needed assistance to States and localities for police, prosecutors, 
women's shelters and community prevention programs, where it is most 
needed.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to be joined today by many of my colleagues 
who share my deep concern about domestic violence in America. The crime 
bill conferees must pass the Violence Against Women Act in its 
strongest form as a first step in providing the systematic support 
needed to break the cycle of family violence.
  We cannot afford to fail the families of America.
  We have waged wars and campaigns to make the world safe for 
democracy--we must now wage a campaign to make women and children safe 
in their own homes.

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