[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 140 (Monday, December 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LIFETIME TELEVISION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 20, 2004

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Lifetime Television 
on its 20th anniversary and honor not only the outstanding work of the 
network in raising awareness about the issues affecting women, but for 
their efforts to pass critical legislation that will make a real 
difference in the lives of women.
  I have been fortunate to work with Lifetime Television to end 
violence against women and families by pushing Congress to pass 
landmark legislation that I introduced, ``The Debbie Smith Act,'' that 
will put rapists behind bars by reducing the number of unprocessed rape 
kits. In March 2002, Lifetime sponsored several events on Capitol Hill 
to educate Congress about the violence that many women face daily and 
what was being done to stop it. It was then that I introduced Debbie 
Smith, a courageous rape survivor whose assailant had been identified 
through the use of DNA technology, to Lifetime. This occasion marked 
the beginning of a collaborative effort to move ``The Debbie Smith 
Act'' through Congress and signed into law.
  Lifetime initiated a petition drive, and 120,000 signatures were sent 
to Congress expressing outrage that rapists were walking the streets 
when the evidence that could put them behind bars was collecting dust. 
By holding numerous educational briefings and receptions over the 
course of 2\1/2\ years, Lifetime continued the momentum to pass this 
legislation. Through their relentless work, Lifetime was instrumental 
in ensuring that ``The Debbie Smith Act'' became law in October.
  Lifetime also has committed itself to providing valuable information 
to its viewers about women's healthcare, childcare, voting and running 
for elected office, and women who are making the world a better place. 
The network was one of the earliest leaders of efforts to raise 
awareness of breast cancer and refuses to back down until this deadly 
disease is eradicated. Lifetime, along with more than 10 million of its 
viewers, also continue to urge Congress to pass critical legislation to 
end the disgraceful practice of drive-through mastectomies, when women 
are forced out of the hospital only hours after surgery. In addition, 
one of Lifetime's original movies, ``Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson 
Story,'' helped to inspire recently passed legislation that will make 
video voyeurism a serious, punishable crime.
  I believe that with its ability to reach millions of people everyday, 
Lifetime will continue to educate and enlighten. Although Lifetime's 
commitment is company-wide, I want to specifically acknowledge its 
outgoing president and CEO Carole Black and its executive vice 
president of public affairs Meredith Wagner, who initiated the 
network's advocacy efforts. Thanks to their passion and dedication, 
Lifetime truly has become an example of the power of the media to cause 
positive change, and I hope that others will follow its lead.
  Once again, I commend Lifetime Television for its dedication to 
improve the lives of women and families, and I look forward to working 
with them again in the future. Lifetime will once again be bringing its 
campaign to Stop Violence Against Women to Washington in March 2005, 
and I hope all of my colleagues will get involved.

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