[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

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                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, last year on the 22nd of October I 
submitted remarks in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 
a tradition that started in this House in 1989. Today, Madam Speaker, 
I'm doing the same. Domestic violence is a debilitating scourge in our 
society, and our goal in this House and as a nation should be to 
completely eliminate it.
  Before joining this House in 2004, I spent 33 years in law 
enforcement, Madam Speaker. I witnessed acts of domestic violence, and 
I watched the debilitating results play out in families and communities 
for weeks, months, and years afterward. The toll domestic violence 
takes on people across this country is incalculable. Madam Speaker, 
domestic violence recognizes no boundaries.
  Children who witness abuse and are themselves abused are more than 
twice as likely to commit acts of domestic violence as adults. 
Generations of Americans have failed to break this terrible cycle of 
violence and even more alarmingly, many of those same Americans have 
not properly identified acts of domestic violence or sought help or 
protection due to ignorance, fear, or a host of other troubling 
reasons. In 2006, a survey conducted by Teen Research Unlimited showed 
that fifteen percent of teens who have been in a relationship reported 
being hit, slapped, or pushed by their boyfriend or girlfriend. Madam 
Speaker, we must work harder to raise awareness of this critical issue 
to ensure people know that help is available, and that they can feel 
safe in reaching out and taking hold of that help.
  I urge members of this House to support organizations committed to 
stamping out domestic violence, Madam Speaker. I also urge every 
American to take the time during October--Domestic Violence Awareness 
Month--to tell their spouse or child how important each is to their 
lives. Hug your spouse. Hug your children. And should people feel moved 
to do so, figure out how to extend a helping hand to victims in 
communities across our country. Every day in October we have the 
opportunity to work against domestic violence. Americans must stay 
vigilant; thank you.

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