[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, how appropriate as we stand 
and acknowledge International Women's Week and realize that maybe 20 
years or 30 years ago there would not be a Lifetime television channel 
that would emphasize the issues to educate not only Americans but also 
the world. This is Stop Violence Against Women Week, and I stand to 
acknowledge the great strides women in Afghanistan and Iraq have made, 
as cochair of the Afghanistan Caucus; and I acknowledge violence still 
peppers and perpetrates itself around the Nation.
  In my State of Texas, nearly 2 million Texans, almost 13 percent of 
the State population, have been sexually assaulted. In Texas, every 2 
minutes someone is sexually assaulted, and two women are killed each 
week by their intimate partner. It is time to stop the violence.
  This week I will also emphasize my bill, Good Time Release Act of 
2005, that speaks to the early release of prisoners. And I want to 
address the treatment of women in our Nation's prisons, women who have 
not perpetrated violent acts. I also stand and acknowledge violence 
against women in Sudan, women who are raped, brutalized, and torn away 
from their children. We must stand up to this kind of violence. It is 
not only in America; it is around the world.
  Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund, 
said, ``Justice is not cheap. Justice is not quick. It is not ever 
finally achieved.''
  Mr. Speaker, we must fight for the liberation of women around the 
world.
  I would like to thank Lifetime Television and their commitment to 
``Stop Violence Against Women.'' Their generous support has made the 
celebration of International Women's Day possible.
  Yesterday was International Women's Day, and it was brought to my 
attention that in light of all these celebrations of how far women have 
come over the decades, it would be naive for us to stand here and 
believe that we have eradicated gender based violence. Statistics keep 
coming in, showing that the problem is widespread for both sexual and 
domestic violence, and victims fear reporting the crimes to proper 
authorities.
  In my state of Texas, nearly 2 million adult Texans, almost 13 
percent of the state population, have been sexually assaulted. In 
Texas, every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted and two women 
are killed each week by their intimate partner.
  Approximately 31 percent of sexual assault victims reported that a 
family member also has been sexually assaulted. We must raise awareness 
about how we as a society can take care of the victims of such crimes. 
An estimate of 82 percent of rapes and sexual assaults go unreported 
because of shame, fear, hurt and anger. Nearly 80 percent of those 
raped know the person who raped them.
  Family and friends not only help their loved one deal with the 
effects of an assault, and must manage their own feelings about the 
victimization of someone they care about. The impact of such a 
traumatic experience is severe. thirty percent of rape victims 
contemplate suicide, and 13 percent attempt to take their own life.
  I have worked with formidable organizations such as Texans Against 
Sexual Assault, who work to bring voices to women who have been victims 
of sexual crimes, and help them along an emotional recovery. Also, the 
Texas Council on Family Violence, which has connected more than 15,000 
Texas victims of domestic violence with emergency shelter and 
protection.
  I am proud to be here, and grateful to these organizations and their 
hard work. But this does not start here. Sexual assault and violence 
affects all racial and ethnic groups. These victims are our selves, our 
families, neighbors and coworkers. Together we must take a stand and 
work together for women's rights. We must work on building a brighter 
future, and make gender based violence a thing of the past. One day or 
week or month is not enough to do it all, but it's a beginning. Marian 
Wright Edelman, the founder and President of the Children's Defense 
Fund said, ``Justice is not cheap. Justice is not quick. It is not ever 
finally achieved.''

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