[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2028]]
     TRIBUTE TO THE JOYCE H. WILLIAMS CENTER OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell you about a wonderful 
organization in the Third Congressional District of Kansas that is 
celebrating its 25th anniversary of serving domestic violence victims 
in Kansas City, Kansas.
  In 1979, I was the District Attorney in Johnson County, Kansas, and 
involved in helping that county provide domestic violence services to 
its citizens. At the same time, just to the north, community leaders in 
Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County, were coming together for the 
same purpose. In 1979, the Joyce H. Williams Center was incorporated, 
and began its services to the KCK community. I first learned of their 
efforts through working with their leaders in the Kansas City 
Metropolitan Coalition on Domestic Violence. The Joyce H. Williams 
Center was begun by the Yates Branch of the YWCA. A few years later, 
when the Yates Branch YWCA branch closed, the Joyce Williams Center and 
most of the YWCA services continued under the sponsorship of Friends of 
Yates, Inc.
  Twenty five years later, the Joyce Williams Center continues to 
provide hope and help to women and children in abusive situations. The 
center has helped hundreds of families over the last 25 years. Today, 
their services include a hotline for victims to call, counseling, case 
management, substance abuse assistance, and a transitional living 
shelter.
  I know my colleagues in the House of Representatives will join me in 
congratulating the staff, board of directors, and community volunteers 
of the Joyce H. Williams Center on this anniversary of their founding. 
I know they will continue to serve their community for many years to 
come.

                          ____________________