[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2331-E2332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2009

  Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of recognizing 
the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994. 
I commend our distinguished colleague from New York, Representative 
Slaughter, for introducing this resolution which recognizes a 
significant achievement in the women's rights movement.
  This landmark legislation, originally authored by our former 
colleague, Senator Joseph Biden, set a new standard for preventing 
violence against women and provides resources necessary for coping with 
attacks that have occurred. Since the enactment of VAWA fifteen years 
ago, this country has made significant progress in our response to 
domestic and dating violence, sexual assaults and stalking.

[[Page E2332]]

  Provisions of VAWA have allowed for additional training for law 
enforcement officers dedicated to these issues. Additionally, VAWA 
authorized funding for an office within the Department of Justice, 
which is dedicated to ending violence against women. Notably this 
legislation created a national domestic violence hotline, which has 
provided information and help to millions of women in crisis.
  VAWA has brought communities together in order to address domestic 
violence and rally support for survivors. It is important for Congress 
and all Americans to recognize the achievements of this legislation. 
Since VAWA's inception, this country's awareness of domestic violence 
has increased and resources to help victims have become more readily 
available and accessible.
  Though we have made great progress, the instances of domestic 
violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence are still too 
high. Far too many women in our great nation are victims of violence. 
We must take further action to keep women safe and provide justice for 
those who have been victims. Too many communities remain underserved 
and lack the resources to provide services to victims of sexual 
violence. We need to continue to increase awareness about sexual 
violence, provide funding to programs that prevent and punish that 
violence and educate women about the help that is available to victims.
  I am proud of the achievements made in the past fifteen years, and I 
look forward to supporting the renewal of the Violence Against Women 
Act in 2010. Again, I thank my friend from New York for introducing H. 
Res. 738 which commemorates this landmark legislation.

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