[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 185 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF SOWELL MURDERS AND 
                    DECRYING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARCIA L. FUDGE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2009

  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, Anthony Sowell raped and murdered 11 women 
in my own Congressional District. I offer condolences to the families 
of these women, whose names are: Tonia Carmichael, Nancy Cobbs, Tishana 
Culver, Crystal Dozier, Telacia Fortson, Amelda Hunter, Leshanda Long, 
Michelle Mason, Kim Yvette Smith, Diane Turner, and Janice Webb.
  In honor of the women he victimized, we must address the underlying 
issue of violence against women.
  Consider that 1 in every 4 American women will experience domestic 
violence in her lifetime. However, only about half of domestic violence 
incidents are reported to police. Even though African-American women 
are more likely than others to report their victimization to police, 
intimate partner homicide is the leading cause of death for African-
American women ages 15-45.
  A report issued in 2000 found that 17.6 percent of women in the 
United States have survived rape or attempted rape. Of these, 21.6 
percent were younger than age 12 when they were first raped, and 32.4 
percent were between the ages of 12 and 17. About half of all rape 
victims are in the lowest third of our national income distribution.
  In 2010, the Violence Against Women Act is scheduled for 
reauthorization. Since its enactment, this Act has saved the lives of 
numerous women by providing funding for life-saving shelters and 
services, and educating the public about the cycle of violence. 
Congress has a unique opportunity to strengthen these programs and 
raise the profile of violence against women. Our Nation's current 
response is insufficient.
  As we move forward, we must act with outrage about how our nation 
responds to violence against women and girls. Education and prevention 
is the key to break this cycle of violence.

                          ____________________