[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 124 (Thursday, September 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1995-E1996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2005

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 209, Supporting the goals and ideals of Domestic Violence 
Awareness Month. Domestic violence continues to have a devastating 
effect on American families. It is important for Congress to take a 
leading role in raising awareness about this issue.
  I am proud to have played a leading role in creating the 1994 
Violence Against Women Act during my time in the White House. Since the 
passage of this important act, the rate of domestic violence in the 
United States has diminished. However, there is still work to be done 
in breaking the cycle of violence and addressing the root causes of 
domestic violence.
  Domestic violence affects women, men, and children of all racial, 
social, religious, ethnic and economic backgrounds. Between 1998 and 
2002, family violence accounted for 11 percent of all reported violence 
in the nation. 22 percent of murders in 2002 were committed by family 
members of the victims, and approximately 15 percent of violent crime 
convictions were for an attack on a family member.

[[Page E1996]]

  Congress must support measures to stop domestic violence before it 
begins through education, transitional housing assistance and 
counseling programs. We must also make it a priority to reauthorize the 
Violence Against Women Act and ensure that this important legislation 
receives sufficient funding.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for introducing this 
important resolution, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of 
establishing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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