[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO CHARLOTTE A. WATSON BY CONGRESSWOMAN NITA LOWEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Charlotte Watson on 
her 10th anniversary as executive director or My Sister's Place in 
Tuckahoe, NY. I know that I speak for everyone in Westchester County 
when I thank Charlotte for her dedication and commitment to ending the 
epidemic of domestic violence. She has truly made Westchester County a 
safer place for women and children.
  For 20 years Charlotte has been a leading advocate for survivors of 
domestic violence. Since 1976, when Charlotte founded the Grayson 
County Women's Crisis Line in Sherman, TX, she has dedicated her life 
to helping survivors of domestic violence, childhood sexual assault, 
and rape.
  Charlotte has served on many boards, committees and coalitions to 
assist battered women in both Westchester and New York City. These 
include the National Organization of Women, New York State Task Force 
on Domestic Violence & Childhood Sexual Abuse, the New York State 
Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Womencare Inc., the National 
Council for Safe Families, and the Battered Women's Justice Center at 
the Pace University School of Law and New York State's Governor's 
office.
  Under Charlotte's leadership, My Sister's Place has grown into one of 
the leading providers of shelters and services for victims of domestic 
violence in the New York City area. To date, My Sister's Place has 
answered more than 13,897 hotline calls and sheltered more than 1,353 
women and 1,901 children.
  My Sister's Place has residential facilities in Yonkers and 
Mamaroneck, and provides educational programs and counseling services 
throughout Westchester Country. Its community education program reaches 
4,000 people every year, and its educational programs for students 
reach 5,000 young people annually.
  Charlotte Watson has had a positive impact on Westchester County, and 
has improved the lives of countless women and children. I congratulate 
Charlotte on her 10th anniversary at My Sister's Place, and hope that 
in the next 10 years we reach our mutual goal of ending domestic 
violence once and for all.

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