[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H9703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE CRUSADERS: NATIONAL NETWORK TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, LouAnne is an elementary student in 
Texas. In the mornings, she eagerly awaits to be picked up by the 
school bus. After school, she rides the bus home, but sometimes she 
hesitates and slowly gets off that bus.
  Once, she just sat on the bus when it pulled in front of her house. 
The bus driver walked to her seat and told her, ``LouAnne, this is 
where you get off.'' LouAnne would not leave her seat, and replied, 
``Daddy hurts me and Momma.''
  We should realize, Mr. Speaker, that behind the closed doors of many 
houses in America, violence is a way of life. It's a bad life, a sad 
way of life. It affects spouses and children. It affects the physical 
and mental health of American families.
  Domestic violence is a public health issue. One group that helps 
victims of home violence is the National Network to End Domestic 
Violence. These crusaders are the leading voice for domestic violence 
victims and advocates. They are helping to expose violence, support 
survivors, and change the culture of our communities.
  I commend them for their wonderful work. Of all the places on Earth 
where a person should be safe, it's at home.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________