[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 70 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING DEMI BRAE CUCCIA

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. KEITH J. ROTHFUS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 9, 2014

  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Demi Brae 
Cuccia. Demi was a student and cheerleader at Gateway High School in 
Monroeville, PA with an outgoing personality and big aspirations for a 
successful future.
  Tragically, Demi was a victim of teen-dating violence, murdered just 
one day after her sixteenth birthday on August 15, 2007.
  Teen-dating violence such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and 
stalking is unacceptable. No child deserves to be subjected to abuse 
and violence. As a father of six, my heart goes out to the family and 
friends of Demi, especially her parents, Dr. Gary and Jodi Cuccia.
  More must be done in our communities to prevent future tragedies like 
the one that took Demi. The Cuccia family is working hard to educate 
Western Pennsylvania students and families about how to recognize and 
prevent teen-dating violence through the Demi Brae Cuccia Awareness 
Organization. Because of the Cuccias efforts, Demi's story has also 
been recognized by national news outlets and in the documentary Teen 
Dating Violence: The Murder of Demi Cuccia.
  It is my hope that thanks to the Cuccias efforts more families can be 
spared from the tragedy of teen-dating violence.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Demi today 
and in thanking the Cuccias for their commitment to end teen-dating 
violence.

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