[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    INTRODUCTION OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentlewoman from Oregon [Ms. 
Furse] is recognized during morning business for 2 minutes.
  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, across, the country women and children are 
facing violence in their homes, and we have not provided them adequate 
protection.
  It is tragedy that in Oregon, 80 percent of women seeking shelter 
from abuse are turned away due to lack of space. This situation led me 
to introduce the Domestic Violence Community Initiatives Act. My bill 
assists communities in developing strategies for dealing with domestic 
violence by bringing together police, shelters, nonprofits and families 
to work together to solve the problem.
  I am proud this legislation passed with passage of the crime bill.
  We in Congress should be proud of the passage of the Violence Against 
Women Act as part of the crime bill. We should be proud because we took 
action on this issue long before Nicole Brown Simpson's murder made the 
headlines. However, let us not be complacent in thinking that we have 
addressed the problem and can move on to other issues. There is still 
much work to be done.
  For the health and safety of our families, we must send the message 
that violence against women will not be tolerated. Let us carry that 
message and continue working to make progress in preventing violence in 
the home and supporting organizations that assist people seeking safety 
for themselves and their children. It is an investment worth making. 
Healthy, peaceful homes produce healthy, productive citizens.

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