[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 127 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1724]]
  CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2215, 21ST CENTURY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 
                    APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
establishment of a Violence Against Women Office in H.R. 2215, the 
Department of Justice Authorization Conference Report. The 
establishment of a strong office that will have jurisdiction over all 
matters related to violence against women is long overdue. I am pleased 
to know that this office will have access to the highest levels of 
Department of Justice policy making and will have a director who is 
appointed by the President. I hope the President will make a thoughtful 
decision and use this opportunity to appoint a director who is a true 
advocate for women's safety, not just a figurehead. Violence against 
women is one of the most serious problems in this country today, and we 
need to have strong laws, adequate resources, and effective enforcement 
efforts in order to combat it. I believe the establishment of this 
office is a step in that direction.
  In addition, if we are serious about helping women who have been 
victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, it is critical that we 
provide them with the resources they need to escape the violence. I 
urge my colleagues to appropriate funds to the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development for transitional housing programs for women and 
their children who have been victims of such violence. I have 
introduced H.R. 3752, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims 
Housing Act, which would authorize $50 million for FY 2003 for such a 
program. This bipartisan legislation currently has 112 cosponsors. It 
is crucial to provide a stable, sustainable home base for women who 
have left situations of domestic violence and are learning new job 
skills, participating in educational programs, working full-time jobs, 
or searching for adequate child care in order to gain self-sufficiency. 
Transitional housing resources and services provide a continuum of care 
between emergency shelter and independent living.
  It is time that we make ending violence against women a national 
priority. I believe the establishment of a strong Violence Against 
Women Office is an important step in the right direction.

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