[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 123 (Thursday, October 5, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H8814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  (Ms. RIVERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. RIVERS. Mr. Speaker, the House has done its job, we passed the 
Violence Against Women Act by a vote of 415-3. Nevertheless, the 
authorization ran out on September 30, 2000.
  This critical bill is supported by police officers, judges, 
prosecutors, governors, State attorneys general, social workers, men 
and women and children's advocates around the Nation. It deserves 
immediate attention from the other body.
  The Violence Against Women Act was originally passed in 1994 and 
authorized over a billion dollars for law enforcement grants, judicial 
training, shelters, a national hotline, child abuse and prevention 
programs. Thousands of victims from every State, race, and 
socioeconomic level have relied on these services for protection from 
violence.
  VAWA has saved lives and helped rebuild even more, and it has served 
to break the cycle of violence in so many families, by preventing 
children from perpetuating the violence they witness.
  With the authorization already expired, I respectfully urge the other 
body to pass this important legislation.

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