[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTIMS SERVICES CENTER OF 
                           MONTGOMERY COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Victim Services 
Center (VSC) of Montgomery County, Inc. on its 30th anniversary.
  In 1974, a group of five women from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 
organized VSC, then called Women Against Rape, due to concerns over the 
lack of a sensitive and uniform response to victims of sexual assault. 
As awareness of sexual assault grew, the need to recognize that both 
men and women are victims, and that both sexes can contribute to the 
solution, transformed the agency into what was known as the Rape Crisis 
Center. In 1985, additional services were added to support victims of 
other serious crimes, including a victim witness program. To reflect 
this expansion of services, the name of the organization was 
subsequently changed to Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, 
Inc. and it is thus known today.
  Victim Services Center has become a comprehensive crime victims 
organization that provides free, confidential 24-hour crisis 
intervention, advocacy, and counseling service to victims of crime and 
safety education programs to schools from preschool to college. It 
likewise provides outstanding training services to professionals and 
law enforcement personnel.
  Approaching nearly 30 years of service, Victim Services Center has 
achieved a exemplary reputation in Montgomery County for confidential, 
supportive services that have aided thousands of people seeking help. 
Without the presence of Victim Services Center in the community, crime 
victims would be left to fend for themselves through a maze of 
government agencies and court proceedings, while also having to cope 
with the trauma of criminal victimization.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing 
Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, Inc. on its 30th 
anniversary. The VSC's tremendous efforts in aiding victims of sexual 
assault and other crimes have truly made a difference in our community.

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