[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, we must pass House 
Resolution 103 and bring awareness to an often overlooked yet extremely 
dangerous issue.
  As a parent, I know the dangers my children faced when they were 
growing up. I often lost sleep worrying that something would happen to 
one of my kids that was beyond my control. It was part of the reason I 
decided to run for Congress.
  Today, more than ever, we need to make people aware of the dangers 
our children face, we never did. Children have such broad access to 
information that it ages them in ways still not fully understood.
  They look at their favorite movie or TV stars and want to emulate 
them. They research adult topics on the Internet and share information 
through cell phones and facebook with their friends. They feel because 
they know things they view as adult, they are adults. Parents do not 
discuss regularly enough drug use, domestic violence or sex with their 
children.
  This legislation will set aside a week to help foster discussion 
between the parent and the child, which is the number one way to 
prevent the awful outcomes which have become far too common on our 
daily news. This resolution will also bring attention to this matter 
and would let Americans know that this issue is serious.
  The statistics are staggering: one out of every eleven adolescents 
have reported they have been the victim of a physical abuse. Of the 
teenagers who are in ``serious relationships'' one in five have 
reported being abused in some way. Our children are trying to be like 
us and in the process they are growing up far too fast. The scariest 
statistic is, of children who are between the age of 11 and 12, the 
youngest of our teens, has been or knows someone who has been abused. 
This is a true travesty.
  We can no longer sit by and reminisce about the golden age of child 
rearing. Children can not be left alone and can expect to turn out like 
we did. As Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I have worked 
tirelessly to ensure all America's children can lead safe and 
productive lives. We must ensure they get the right start.
  This resolution will not only prevent our children from living 
through a terrible ordeal, but it will also help curtail future 
attacks. Evidence exists showing the severity of domestic violence 
among a couple is far greater if there is a pattern of abuse from early 
on in the abuser's life. We have a duty to protect our children and we 
have a duty to protect our fellow citizens and assure the right to live 
in peace.
  Proclaiming this week National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and 
Prevention Week will show how serious this issue is and continue the 
discussion which has already begun in many homes. This resolution will 
also expand the discussion to many homes in the district I represent as 
well as the rest of the country. We must pass this resolution today and 
send a clear message to our fellow citizens that this issue will not go 
away.
  Madam Speaker, I urge its immediate passage so we can begin to solve 
a problem that's gone unchecked far too long. We can make a difference 
in these and future young adults. The time to act is now.

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