[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE SAVE TODAY FOR TOMORROW PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Save Today for 
Tomorrow Project in Houston. On October 9, 1996, the Harris County 
Medical Society, the Harris County Medical Society Alliance, the Texas 
Medical Association Alliance, and the American Medical Association 
Alliance will jointly present Members of the House of Representatives 
with ``black and blue knots'' ribbons to urge Americans to stop 
domestic violence. I am working with these groups to distribute these 
ribbons in Washington, DC.
  Domestic violence is a nationwide epidemic that we must address. 
Domestic violence affects as many as one-fourth of all Americans; 6 out 
of 10 couples will experience violence at some time during their 
marriages. A woman is battered every 12 seconds in this country. 
Regrettably, 3 to 4 million women are battered each year by their 
husbands and partners. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes 
of injury to women aged 15 to 44.
  People who are abused often repeat this vicious cycle. Approximately 
one-third of women who are abuse victims will abuse their children. 
Nearly 2 million children are abused and neglected each year and 1,000 
children die each year from violence. In fact, violence has replaced 
disease as the No. 1 one killer of children. We need to stop this trend 
and eliminate violence in our society.
  As part of this awareness campaign, State and local officials are 
issuing proclamations designating October 9, 1996, as Save Today for 
Tomorrow Day. This proclamation reads as follows:

    Proclamation to Save Today for Tomorrow Stop America's Violence 
                               Everywhere

       Whereas violence is among the leading causes of death in 
     America, and has replaced disease as the number one killer of 
     children; and
       Whereas domestic violence has devastating effects on a 
     woman's physical and emotional well-being, and her ability to 
     care for her children; and
       Whereas violence comes in many forms; sexual violence; gang 
     and peer-related violence committed by youth of all ages; 
     family violence; street violence; and violence in the media; 
     and
       Whereas billions of dollars per year are attributable to 
     preventable violence-related deaths and injuries and add a 
     tremendous burden to America's health care system; and
       Whereas the first step toward unraveling the many layers of 
     our nation's violence problems can begin with awareness; and
       Whereas awareness and prevention are the heart of the SAVE 
     program and its cornerstone event, SAVE Today, during which 
     physician's spouses around the country will join efforts to 
     Stop America's Violence Everywhere; and
       Whereas members of the Harris County Medical Alliance will 
     lead the effort to urge local citizens to search for ways we 
     can all help SAVE Today for Tomorrow.

  I am pleased to join in this effort to increase awareness about 
domestic violence.

  I applaud the hard work and dedication of the Harris County Medical 
Alliance to increase awareness about domestic violence. It is my hope 
that with more awareness, all Americans will work toward reducing this 
national tragedy.

                          ____________________