[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   VICTIM'S RIGHTS AWARDS, LAURIE DISHMAN UNSUNG HERO AWARD RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I am honored to announce that my 
constituent, Laurie Dishman has been selected by the Victim's Rights 
Caucus to receive the Unsung Hero Award.
  Laurie is a remarkable young woman, who found the strength and 
courage to fight on behalf of others after she was a victim of a 
violent crime on a cruise ship. Laurie shared her story with me in a 
letter two years ago.
  As a passenger on board a ship operated by Royal Caribbean, Laurie 
was raped by a crew member. The story of her ordeal on the ship was 
shocking and the response by the cruise industry was even more 
appalling.
  Laurie was brave enough to report the incident to the crew 
authorities, even though they treated her poorly and with little 
sensitivity. She also reported the crime to the FBI. Unfortunately, the 
U.S. Attorney's office declined the case or prosecution just four days 
later.
  I have since learned that there have been no convictions for rape 
cases on cruise lines in four decades. This statistic takes on a new 
meaning through the lens of Laurie's experience.
  Laurie has devoted herself to a public awareness campaign to ensure 
that the cruise industry is held accountable for their lax security 
onboard cruise ships.
  She has done television shows including The Montel Williams Show, the 
Morning Show, Inside Edition, and numerous others. She also has done 
radio interviews for the BBC and other international news organizations 
to send out her message. As the focus of numerous expose pieces about 
safety concerns on cruise ships, Laurie was profiled for stories in the 
Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.
  She was also brave enough to testify at a Transportation and 
Infrastructure, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee 
hearing on Crimes on Cruise Ships. At the hearing she spoke of her 
experience and also ways to improve prevention methods, including: peep 
holes and security latches on stateroom doors; instituting sensitivity 
training for crew members: and ensuring more CCTV cameras in hallways.
  After the hearing, I introduced the Protect Americans from Crimes on 
Cruise Ships Resolution on September 17, 2007, with Reps. Christopher 
Shays and Carolyn Maloney. The resolution now has over thirty 
cosponsors.
  The Transportation and Infrastructure Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Subcommittee held a follow-up hearing on September 19, 
2007. We heard from other victims who were raped or assaulted on cruise 
ships. Laurie attended the full-day hearing  and provided support for 
the women who testified and their families. Since then she has 
continued to attend meetings with the cruise industry, provide 
interviews and insight to our office on the progress, or lack thereof, 
of the cruise industries safety standards.

   On April 8, 2008 Laurie testified in front of the California State 
Senate regarding a bill to require Ocean Rangers on cruise ships. 
``These Ocean Rangers will help to make sure that there are trained 
personnel who can respond to a reported crime, and that there is an 
advocate for a crime victim who is not employed by the cruise lines.
   I am also working on introducing it bicameral, comprehensive cruise 
safety reform bill that is informed by two years of research and two 
Congressional hearings, but at its heart, addresses the concerns 
brought to our office two years ago by Ms. Dishman.
   Laurie embodies the spirit of an unsung hero. She does all of this 
without acclaim, but because she feels compelled. Laurie has helped 
lead a campaign of awareness about safety concerns on cruise ships. We 
all know that crimes can only be prevented when we are aware of the 
chance for them to occur.
   Laurie has taken leadership and shown strong determination 
throughout this ternble personal experience. I have been very proud to 
be by her side in this effort, to ensure safety on cruise ships by 
informing the public of their risks.
   Because of her visibility and strength, other victims have been able 
to tell their stories. As a result, we have been able to garner public 
awareness and support for our efforts towards oversight and better 
public policy.
   I applaud Laurie for her heroic work during these last two years. I 
nominated her for the Victim's Rights Caucus Unsung Hero Award. It is 
an honor to recognize her today for her important contributions to 
ensuring the safety of the over 10 million women and families across 
the country that cruise each year.

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