[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     GENDER BIAS IN THE U.S. COURTS

                                 ______


                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 1995

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for gender bias studies in our Federal and State courts. Gender bias in 
our judiciary exists and it affects decisionmaking in our courts. It 
affects judges, lawyers, litigants, jurors, court personnel, and the 
general public.
  One of the critical titles in the Violence Against Women Act--Equal 
Justice for Women in the Courts--provides for these studies. This 
Congress has overwhelmingly supported this legislation and the 
Commerce, Justice, State, and judiciary appropriations conference 
report full funding for VAWA's equal justice in the courts provisions.
  It is important to note that the U.S. Judicial Conference has 
endorsed the study of gender bias in the Federal courts and at least 
seven Federal circuits have formed task forces to conduct studies, not 
only of gender bias but also biases based on ethnicity and race.
  Many States, including my State of Maryland, have undertaken gender 
bias studies with good results. Today, all over this country changes 
have been made in the way the crimes of domestic violence and rape are 
adjudicated and the way in which child custody and divorce proceedings 
are handled.
  Our courts at the Federal and the State levels must be given the 
funding that will allow our justice system to function as the Founding 
Fathers intended--fairly. There must be no misunderstanding. This 
Congress supports the principle of and funding for gender bias studies 
on our Federal and State courts.

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