[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 3, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11227-H11228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1815
               NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, in large and small communities 
across our Nation, too many Americans find themselves placed in danger 
by the very people who are supposed to love them. It's estimated that 2 
million acts of domestic violence take place each year in the United 
States. This is not just a problem for women; it's also a problem for 
children and a problem for men. We are doing no one any favors, least 
of all the abusers, by ignoring the problem.
  I rise today to recognize October as National Domestic Violence 
Awareness Month. And while we make gains in raising the awareness about 
domestic violence and in providing assistance to the victims, the 
violence continues.
  According to a recent survey in my home State of Kansas, one domestic 
violence act occurs every 28 minutes. One out of four women will be 
abused in their lifetime, and more than 3 million children will witness 
some form of violence at home each year.
  Domestic violence brings fear, hopelessness and depression into the 
lives of every affected victim. One incident can create a cycle of 
despair that's difficult not only for the victim, but also for their 
families to overcome.
  When a victim is abused, the abuse does not stay in the home, and, 
therefore, we cannot fight this battle only on one front. Domestic 
violence is often seen as a private issue. However, the suffering often 
follows victims at work and at school.
  It is important that medical professionals, educators, law 
enforcement officers, and community leaders are trained to recognize 
the signs and symptoms of domestic violence. Everyone, not just the 
victim but their children who suffer and the abusers themselves, will 
be better off if we can put a firm and rapid stop to every single case 
of domestic violence.

[[Page H11228]]

  It is also important to support domestic violence shelters. These 
agencies provide essential services, help advocate for victims, and 
spearhead efforts to increase domestic violence awareness throughout 
the country. Tonight I commend those who work every day to help victims 
of domestic violence, especially those who work in the nine service 
areas that I am aware of back home in Kansas in my district: Dodge 
City, Emporia, Garden City, Great Bend, Hays, Hutchinson, Liberal, 
Salina, and Ulysses.
  We must not forget the role Congress has to play. Federal grants made 
under the Violence Against Women Act provide essential funds for 
shelter operations and support services. We must ensure that shelters 
and crisis centers receive sufficient funding to provide this safety 
net to some of our most vulnerable citizens.
  October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but we must 
fight domestic violence and address its consequences all year long. 
Through education, enforcement and support, we can continue working 
together to break the cycle of domestic violence and bring hope to 
victims so terribly affected by these acts.
  Tonight, I pray for the end of violence within our families and for 
the healing of those who suffer.

                          ____________________