[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2883-S2884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, 2 weeks ago, I came to the 
floor to announce the realization of another component of our 
initiative to prevent violence against women--the national domestic 
violence hotline. At that time, I indicated that I would come to the 
floor every day for 2 weeks, whenever my colleagues would be kind 
enough to give me about 30 seconds of time, to read off the 800 number 
of the hotline.
  The toll-free number, 1-800-799-SAFE, will provide immediate crisis 
counseling, and local shelter referrals to women across the country, 24 
hours a day. There is also a TDD number for the hearing impaired, 1-
800-787-3224.
  Mr. President, roughly 1 million women are victims of domestic 
violence each year and battering may be the single most common cause of 
injury to women--more common than auto accidents, muggings, or rapes by 
a stranger. According to the FBI, one of every two women in America 
will be beaten at least once in the course of an intimate relationship. 
The FBI also speculates that battering is the most under-reported crime 
in the country. It is estimated that the new hotline will receive close 
to 10,000 calls a day.
  I hope that the new national domestic violence hotline will help 
women and families find the support, assistance, and services they need 
to get out of homes where there is violence and abuse.
  Mr. President, once again, the toll-free number is 1-800-787-3224, 
for the hearing impaired.

[[Page S2884]]



                  COMMEMORATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

 Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate Greek 
Independence Day--a national day of celebration of Greek and American 
democracy. Yesterday marked the 175th anniversary of the beginning of 
the revolution which freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire.
  A historic bond exists between Greece and America, forged by our 
shared democratic heritage. America is truly indebted to the ancient 
Greeks for giving the world the first example of direct democracy. The 
philosophical and democratic influences of the ancient Greeks provides 
the inspiration for our democratic Government to flourish. It is 
therefore fitting that Members of this Chamber join in paying tribute 
to the long struggle for freedom that Greece endured.
  On March 25, 1821, when Germanos, the archbishop of Patros, 
proclaimed Greek independence, another link between Greece and the 
United States was forged. The American revolution served as a model for 
the Greek struggle for freedom and when the Declaration of 
Independence, translated into Greek, served as the declaration of the 
end of the Greek struggle, a circle was completed.
  The interconnection between Greek and American democracies lies not 
only in the philosophical underpinnings of our Government, but in many 
areas of American life. Percy Bysshe Shelley once said, ``We are all 
Greeks! Our laws, our literature, our religion, our art, have their 
roots in Greece.'' The tremendous influence that Greece has had on 
American life continues today through the activities of the vibrant 
Greek community in America. In every field--politics, entertainment, 
business and education--Greek-Americans continue to contribute to 
American life.
  In particular, I wish to pay tribute to the Greek-American community 
in New Jersey. Groups that are leaders in the New Jersey Greek 
Community include: the Greek American Chamber of Commerce of New 
Jersey, the Greek American Voters League of New Jersey, the Hellenic 
American Bar Association of New Jersey, the Pan Gregorian Enterprises & 
Foundation, P.G.E.I. of America Charitables Foundation, Inc., the 
Council Generals of Greek Cypriot, the Order of AHEPA and the Joint 
Public Policy Committee of Hellenic American Women. On behalf of these 
organizations, the Greek community in New Jersey and all Americans of 
Greek descent, I am honored to pay tribute, on behalf of the Nation, to 
the Greek community during the celebration of their independence 
day.

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