[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 24 (Thursday, March 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

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                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 2002

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, since the first celebration of 
International Women's Day on March 19, 1911, women have come to realize 
opportunities about which they then could only dream. And they have 
taken advantage of those opportunities, excelling in every field and 
task put before them. As the world has become more aware of the 
abilities and talents of women throughout the globe, we also have 
become more aware of the very real issue of violence against women and 
its devastating effects.
  While our consciousness of violence against women has risen, the 
problem has not evaporated. There is still much work to do. Cases of 
violence against women continue to persist in our own nation and 
throughout the world. These vicious crimes often happen within the home 
and have devastating consequences for the victims personally, as well 
as for their families and for society as a whole.
  We must continue to work together to empower women from an early age 
by teaching them that any form of abuse is unacceptable and encouraging 
them to speak out. We must also ensure that those who commit these 
heinous acts are appropriately punished for the crimes they commit.
  I serve on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations 
where I am proud to support many foreign assistance programs that 
benefit women, including the microcredit program for the very poor. 
These program empower women by giving them the capacity to provide for 
themselves and become self-reliant. Economically empowering women not 
only reduces poverty, it also creates a sense of self-worth and 
importance with which women can address the many challenges they face.
  Mr. Speaker, we must continue to build upon the achievements that 
have been made in reducing violence against women and I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to accomplish this goal.

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