[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 168 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 
                           2006 THROUGH 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, December 17, 2005

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
conference report reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, VAWA. I 
am pleased VAWA will be given floor consideration before Congress 
adjourns this session.
  Ending family and community violence in this country requires an on-
going commitment from Congress. Our obligation as legislators and 
citizens is to provide the tools to prevent family violence, and where 
violence has occurred, support services that provide the needed shelter 
and support to victims. Furthermore, the perpetrators of family 
violence must receive both significant punishments as well as the 
necessary interventions to prevent recidivism. Our goal must be to end 
the cycle of family violence in our communities and that will require 
comprehensive intervention and prevention strategies.
  This reauthorization is critical in encouraging collaborative efforts 
among law enforcement officials, the courts, and service providers who 
work with victims of domestic and sexual violence. We must continue to 
increase public awareness of domestic violence, while addressing the 
individual and unique experiences of victims of domestic and sexual 
violence, including the needs of immigrant populations and people of 
diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, the disabled, and children. As a 
Nation, we must do what we can to end the cycle of violence that exists 
in too many homes and communities across the country and to assist the 
families and children who are living day to day in fear and isolation.
  VAWA is a landmark piece of legislation that has been successful. It 
has brought a voice to those who had been silenced and shelter to those 
who were in need of a safe place. And, there is still work to be done. 
For example, while this bipartisan authorization bill is critical to 
moving the issue forward, adequate funding for services for families 
affected by violence must also be a priority for this Congress.
  On a personal note, my daughter, Katie, has recently started a career 
in providing services to victims of family violence. From the frequent 
stories she tells me about working in a shelter for women, it is 
clearly a challenging but also very rewarding career path she has 
chosen. I applaud Katie and all of the women and men who have committed 
their professional careers or volunteer hours to serving our neighbors 
and community members who have found themselves victims of domestic 
violence. Their dedication makes communities across America stronger, 
more caring and more peaceful.
  It is in honor of the survivors of violence and those who serve them 
that I stand today in support of Congress's role in providing services 
and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence through the 
reauthorization of VAWA.

                          ____________________