[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTTY BAESLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 1998

  Mr. BAESLER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the kickoff of ``Ending 
Violence Against Women'' month back in my home state of Kentucky. 
Dozens of groups, including the Kentucky Women Advocates, the Kentucky 
Nurses Association, Metropolitan Women's Association, civic groups and 
good corporate citizens joined together at the Galleria in Louisville 
today to mark the occasion with a rally, speeches, and proclamations.
  Kentucky's advocacy community--especially these groups and the 
Governor's Office on Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Services--has 
done an excellent job raising public awareness about the urgency of 
this issue.
  This week I became a cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Act II.
  I do so because, although the first Violence Against Women Act has 
made great strides, an estimated three to four million American women 
are assaulted each year by their husbands or partners. In Kentucky 
alone, 27,758 temporary protective orders and 18,252 emergency 
protective orders are issued annually.
  I do so because domestic violence is still the least reported crime 
in the United States, but remains one of the most tragic, hurtful, and 
destructive crimes to the lives of citizens of my state and our nation. 
Clearly, more must be done.
  I am especially proud to cosponsor VAWA II because it renews the 
Rural Domestic Violence provisions authored by myself and Reps. Long 
and Ewing in the 103rd Congress. This effort has sent more than 
$250,000 to Kentucky to protect some of the most vulnerable women in my 
home state--those who live in rural areas.
  Mr. Speaker, we are living in a time of remarkable prosperity and 
peace. But the fact remains that too many homes are wracked by domestic 
violence. Just as we must always work to ensure our nation's security 
and peace abroad, we must continue to work to ensure the physical 
security and peace of mind for the women across America.

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