[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 123 (Thursday, October 5, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1684-E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING CAMELIA ANWAR SADAT AND DENISE BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 5, 2000

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, today I commend two extraordinary persons, 
Camelia Anwar Sadat and Denise Brown, for their tireless efforts to 
raise the level of awareness of the serious problem of domestic 
violence. Over the years, both Ms. Sadat and Ms. Brown have been 
effective advocates for victims of domestic violence. They have 
committed substantial amounts of time and resources to help address 
this problem. I am pleased to welcome Ms. Sadat and Ms. Brown to 
Southeast Michigan when they will address the Arab-American domestic 
violence dinner sponsored by the Arab Community Center for Economic and 
Social Services (ACCESS) on October 11, 2000.
  Domestic violence has been a problem of great enormity throughout 
history. Six years ago, however, a bipartisan majority of Congress 
passed, and President Clinton signed, the Violence Against Women Act 
(VAWA). VAWA was a giant step forward in our country's response to 
violence against women. It was the first federal law of its kind to 
recognize that gender-based crimes prevent women from being full 
participants in society. VAWA has had an enormous impact on many women 
and children through grants and federal prosecutions. VAWA expired on 
September 30, 2000, however, I am pleased to note that on September 26, 
2000, the House of Representatives not only voted overwhelmingly to 
reauthorize VAWA, but also to expand the original law. I am hopeful the 
Senate will do likewise so this important legislation can become law.
  Violence against women must be stopped and every person must do their 
part. VAWA is playing an important step in ending this violence, but it 
cannot do so alone. It is vitally important that the public is educated 
about the effects this violence has on our society. Ms.

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Sadat and Ms. Brown are committed advocates and continually reach out 
and educate communities about domestic violence. I laud their efforts 
and accomplishments that are raising public awareness and helping purge 
domestic violence from our nation.

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