[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 123 (Thursday, October 5, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H8816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT MUST BE REAUTHORIZED NOW

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, October is Domestic Violence Awareness 
Month. It is just unthinkable that we should leave Washington and end 
this session without reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
  Last week, by a powerful 415 to 3, this body overwhelmingly affirmed 
our responsibility to addressing and protecting the needs of all 
victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. Every 15 
seconds someone in our country is battered. Every day, four women die 
in this country as a result of domestic violence.
  Every person, woman, man, or child, should feel safe at home and in 
their neighborhoods. We must ensure that all victims, including 
immigrant women, are able to report and flee from domestic violence 
without threats of persecution or deportation.
  We have the opportunity in these remaining days to pass VAWA. We 
should do it now.

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