[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H9255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF ``NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE 
                    AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK''

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration 
of the resolution (H. Res. 1086) supporting the goals and ideals of 
``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week,'' and 
ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 1086

       Whereas 1 in 3 female teens in a dating relationship have 
     feared for their physical safety;
       Whereas 1 in 2 teens in serious relationships have 
     compromised their beliefs to please their partner;
       Whereas nearly 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious 
     relationship said their boyfriend or girlfriend would 
     threaten to hurt themselves or their partner if there was a 
     break-up;
       Whereas 1 in 5 teens in a serious relationship report they 
     have been hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner;
       Whereas more than 1 in 4 teens have been in a relationship 
     where their partner verbally abuses them;
       Whereas 13 percent of Hispanic teens reported that hitting 
     a partner was permissible;
       Whereas 29 percent of girls who have been in a relationship 
     said they have been pressured to have sex or engage in sex 
     they did not want;
       Whereas nearly 50 percent of girls worry that their partner 
     would break up with them if they did not agree to engage in 
     sex;
       Whereas Native American women experience higher rates of 
     interpersonal violence than any other population group;
       Whereas violent relationships in adolescence can have 
     serious ramifications for victims who are at higher risk for 
     substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, 
     suicide, and adult revictimization;
       Whereas the severity of violence among intimate partners 
     has been shown to increase if the pattern has been 
     established in adolescence;
       Whereas 81 percent of parents surveyed either believe 
     dating violence is not an issue or admit they do not know if 
     it is an issue;
       Whereas the week of February 5, 2007, has been recognized 
     by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Break the 
     Cycle, the American Bar Association, and other organizations 
     as an appropriate week for activities furthering awareness of 
     teen dating violence; and
       Whereas recognizing a ``National Teen Dating Violence 
     Awareness and Prevention Week'' would benefit schools, 
     communities, and families regardless of socioeconomic status, 
     race, or gender: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives should raise 
     awareness of teen dating violence in the Nation by supporting 
     the goals and ideals of ``National Teen Dating Violence 
     Awareness and Prevention Week''.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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