[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 20, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      THE RAINBOW HOUSE/ARCO IRIS

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, today, I would like to pay tribute 
to the Rainbow House/Arco Iris, a shelter for battered women located in 
the Chicago area. Since 1982, Rainbow House has provided shelter, 
counseling, and support services for over 5,000 battered women and 
their children.
  Recognizing that shelters are not the sole answer to domestic 
violence, the Rainbow House has been actively committed to developing 
an energetic community education and prevention initiative. This 
important organization has presented hundreds of community education 
workshops for thousands of teachers and students. The goal--to stop the 
problem before it starts by teaching young children how to express 
their strong feelings without violence.
  Domestic abuse is a serious and pervasive problem in our culture. In 
fact, abuse is the single largest cause of injury to women. The FBI 
estimates that a woman is beaten in the United States every 15 seconds.
  Family abuse, including child abuse is found on every level of 
society, regardless of race, education, age, or income. The National 
Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that in 50 percent of the 
families where a woman is being beaten, children are being abused as 
well.
  Ten years ago there were fewer than a dozen shelters for battered 
women nationwide. Now, Rainbow House is 1 of more than 600. It is with 
great pleasure and admiration that I recognize the work of this fine 
organization.


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