[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 31, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H7532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MONTH

  (Ms. SANCHEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about domestic 
violence. I was pleased that President Bush proclaimed this month of 
October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. However, people 
should be aware of domestic violence every day. Domestic violence is an 
offense against our institutional values. One incident of domestic 
violence is one incident too much.
  Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of 
domestic violence awareness. In 1999 I was proud to include in the 
fiscal year 2000 defense authorization language the Defense Task Force 
on Domestic Violence. The task force was established to review and 
evaluate current programs and policies associated with domestic 
violence in the Department of Defense. It reinforces the importance of 
preventing domestic violence because deterrence is key. However, when 
violence does occur, we must protect the victims while holding the 
offenders accountable.
  I am confident that the task force will provide the Secretary of 
Defense with a comprehensive report and a plan that augments our 
current efforts to eliminate domestic violence within the military. 
Furthermore, the task force findings will help in our national efforts 
to address domestic violence in our own communities.

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