[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 106 (Wednesday, July 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF KAREN S. TUFTS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2014

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this moment to recognize 
the life and legacy of an inspirational woman, Ms. Karen Tufts. Ms. 
Tufts passed away in Lexington, Kentucky on April 6, 2014 at the age of 
80 but still lives inside the hearts of the many individuals she 
touched.
  Ms. Tufts dedicated her life to helping others. As a Military Sexual 
Assault Therapist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lexington, 
Kentucky, Ms. Tufts treated numerous survivors of military sexual 
trauma (MST). Even after retirement, Ms. Tufts continued to follow her 
passion to help survivors of MST by opening up her home to counsel men 
and women known affectionately as ``Karen's Survivors.''
  It was these survivors' stories about the positive impact her care 
had on their lives that led me to introduce H.R. 3775, the Karen Tufts 
Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment Act, also known as the 
Karen Tufts Military SAVE Act. This legislation follows the example set 
by Ms. Tufts, which would empower survivors of military sexual trauma 
to select their own care providers and provide the support these brave 
service members have earned.
  While we grieve the loss of this great American, we also honor her 
life and her devotion to helping others by continuing the important 
work of supporting survivors of MST.

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