[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E373]]
               THE NECESSITY OF ENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to an ongoing 
battle that is waged day-to-and minute-to-minute in our country. 
Largely perpetrated in silence, domestic violence is an overwhelming 
problem that affects every community and that transcends race, 
language, nationality, culture, sexual orientation, religion, 
economics, and gender. Too often, domestic violence is viewed as a 
women's issue, when in reality this is an issue that affects every 
aspect of our society: women, men, children, and communities as a 
whole. Domestic violence is an unacceptable reality and I believe that 
individuals must commit themselves to fighting this battle, which so 
often strikes at the very heart of our families.
  In order to effectively decrease the incidence of domestic violence, 
full funding for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2000 is 
essential. VAWA funds programs that assist battered women and their 
children. President Bush's FY04 budget cuts $19 million from VAWA 
programs. This cut will have a profoundly negative effect on the 
victims of domestic violence who need the support of these programs to 
stop the cycle of violence in their lives. I support Congressional 
action to restore the cuts made to the VAWA programs in President 
Bush's budget, in order to continue to provide essential services to 
those who need our help the most.
  Last year Congress passed, and the President signed, the DOJ 
Reauthorization Act (PL 107-273), which included the Violence Against 
Women Office Act. This statute established an Office on the Violence 
Against Women as a separate and distinct office that would ensure that 
the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act is a high priority 
for the Department of Justice. Attorney General Ashcroft has failed to 
create this office. His inaction amounts to a systematic disregard for 
the full implementation of this law. I would encourage all of my 
colleagues to join me in urging Attorney General Ashcroft to establish 
a separate Office on Violence Against Women to fulfill both the spirit 
and the letter of the law.

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