[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 124 (Thursday, September 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

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                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2005

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, the House has voted to reauthorize the 
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a historic measure first passed in 
1994. It marked when our country finally recognized that domestic 
violence is not a private family matter, but a national problem that 
requires a national response. Since VAWA passed, victims of domestic 
violence have more options to leave abusive relationships, local 
communities have developed critical programs to assist victims, and our 
criminal justice system has become better trained in prosecuting these 
unique crimes.
  However, it is always the incident that happens in your backyard that 
will highlight the scope of a problem, such as domestic violence. In 
2003, the state of Washington State became the focus of a national 
tragedy. Many have read in the papers the heartbreaking story of how, 
on April 26, 2003, Crystal Brame was shot in a grocery store parking 
lot by her husband, David Brame, chief of police for the city of 
Tacoma. Crystal Brame died one week later, and David Brame committed 
suicide at the scene.
  In response to this tragedy, people in the state of Washington 
swiftly formed a statewide task force of domestic violence, law 
enforcement, and criminal justice system experts to determine the best 
practices for law enforcement agencies, focusing on prevention, 
training, enforcement, and response. Crystal's death and the state's 
response, illustrated that despite the progress since VAWA passed in 
1994, tragedies of domestic violence live in our communities today, and 
that we must continue to work towards new solutions.
  I think we can do a better job helping people like Crystal, whose 
abuser happened to be in a profession that responds to crimes of 
domestic violence. I have hopes that my colleagues will help put a stop 
to such tragedies and work with Mr. Norm Dicks, Mr. Adam Smith, and Mr. 
Dave Reichert, and me to commission a study by the Department of 
Justice to learn more about such incidences and the best response to 
officer-involved domestic violence. Ending domestic violence is an 
ongoing effort, and I have seen great improvements to this end. I would 
like to see an even stronger commitment so that other communities can 
prevent tragedies--like that of Crystal Brame from happening in their 
backyard.

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