[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Cummings Foundation, the Domestic 
Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project, Child Justice, and the 
Courageous Kids Network should be commended for their work combatting 
child abuse and ensuring justice for abuse victims.
  Earlier this year they recognized Members of Congress who work on 
child abuse issues, but I think these groups are the ones who should 
really be recognized.
  Child abuse is a horrific crime.
  And it's made even worse when justice is not served.
  Only a monster would harm a child.
  It is an inexcusable injustice when a child is ordered by our own 
legal system back into an unsafe situation.
  As a former judge and prosecutor and as co-chair of the Congressional 
Victims' Rights Caucus with my good friend Jim Costa of California, I 
know how important groups like these are in advocating for victims and 
helping them through court proceedings.
  Not only do these organizations serve children and their protective 
parents, who many times are also victims of abuse, but work to fix the 
family court system, when justice is not served.
  They counsel protective parents and help children who have been 
wrongly placed with an abusive parent.
  These groups work with the parent and courts to bring the child back 
into a safe situation, some providing pro bono legal assistance.
  They work to educate the public on these issues and fight for a 
justice system that works, striving to bring real change to our society 
by ending domestic violence and child abuse.
  Those that work with children and their families through some of the 
hardest situations are true heroes.
  Our country was founded on the principles of Life, Liberty, and the 
Pursuit of Happiness.
  The Cummings Foundation, the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and 
Appeals Project, Child Justice, and the Courageous Kids Network want to 
make sure that victims are able to live that American ideal.
  Our country cannot tolerate abuse.
  Justice demands that we fight back.
  Because justice is what we do.
  A society will be judged by how it treats the most vulnerable.
  I hope that because of the work these groups are doing, our society 
will be judged well.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________