[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 40 (Monday, March 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE SUZANNE McDANIEL PUBLIC AWARENESS AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 10, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, Suzanne McDaniel is one of the ``Old 
Buffalos,'' which is what we call the first advocates in the victims' 
rights field. I met Suzanne 25 years ago, when I was a judge on the 
Harris County District Court. Suzanne worked as the director of the 
Witness Office of the Harris County District Attorney's Office. She was 
one of the first prosecutor-based victim advocates in Texas and in the 
entire country. Since then, Suzanne has tirelessly crusaded for crime 
victims at the local, State and national levels.
  Suzanne began working in the trenches, in the days when victims were 
looked at as mere witnesses in a trial. In Harris County, Texas, 
Suzanne helped create the first community interagency council on sexual 
assault and family violence. Suzanne then went to work for the State of 
Texas in the Governor's office. There she wrote groundbreaking reports 
on crime victims and organized conferences to train and educate 
victims, advocates, and allied professions.
  Suzanne then brought her knowledge, dedication, and leadership to the 
Texas State Attorney General's office where she was the State's crime 
victim information officer. In this position, Suzanne advocated for the 
passage of legislative and regulatory initiatives, including the 
passage of Texas' State constitutional amendment for victims. As a 
testament to Suzanne's significant contributions to the victims' field, 
the State coalition of victim organizations, VOTERS, appointed her as 
legislative liaison.
  Not only has Suzanne tirelessly advocated for crime victims in Texas, 
but she brought the same drive and compassion to the national level. In 
1984, when President Ronald Reagan created the President's Task Force 
on Victims of Crime, Suzanne coordinated field hearings that launched 
victims' rights into a national concern. In addition, Suzanne served on 
the board of the National Organization for Victim Assistance for 10 
years.
  When I came to Congress, I founded the Congressional Victim's Rights 
Caucus to provide a voice for and to advocate on behalf of crime 
victims. The Caucus honors individuals, organizations, and advocates 
that have truly made a difference for crime victims. Instead of 
honoring Suzanne's contributions with an award, the Caucus has named an 
award after her, to forever honor her work, dedication, and compassion. 
On April 9, 2008, the Congressional Victim's Rights Caucus will present 
its first ``Suzanne McDaniel Public Awareness Award.'' And that's just 
the way it is.

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