[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BOSTON AREA RAPE CRISIS CENTER

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, next week is National Crime Victims' 
Rights Week when our country honors the heroism of crime victims and 
shows our gratitude to advocates who work to protect those who have 
been victimized. I am proud to say that as part of this commemoration 
Attorney General Eric Holder will be honoring the Boston Area Rape 
Crisis Center, BARCC. I would like to add my congratulations and 
sincerest thanks for the important work that is done at BARCC.
  BARCC has been helping victims of rape and sexual assault in Boston 
since 1973, making it one of the first such centers of its kind. Highly 
trained counselors and advocates team with volunteers from the area to 
create a nurturing, and supportive, environment for these victims. 
Through their hard work and selfless dedication, they serve over 4,000 
victims a year providing critical services to the people of Boston. 
Additionally, they participate in statewide and national training in 
best practices and education sharing their knowledge and experiences. 
BARCC is also committed to preventing future victims by doing outreach 
in the community on sexual assault awareness, particularly on the many 
college and university campuses in Boston. Their comprehensive 
expertise in violence prevention, victims' rights, and victims support 
is what makes BARCC such an exceptional facility.
  I join Attorney General Holder, the people of Boston, and Janet 
Yassen, director of the Victims of Violence Program, Cambridge Health 
Alliance, who nominated BARCC for this honor, in expressing our 
gratitude to the staff and volunteers at BARCC for the incredible 
service they provide.

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