[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE NFL'S ACTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2014

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letter regarding 
domestic violence and the NFL's actions:
                                                September 9, 2014.
     Roger Goodell,
     Commissioner, National Football League,
     New York, NY.
       Dear Commissioner Goodell: Today I called for the NFL to 
     take immediate action in announcing a major effort on 
     fighting national domestic violence. It would be appropriate 
     for the NFL to initiate major funding effort to stop domestic 
     violence now. Domestic violence hits every sector of the 
     Nation without respect to race, religion, wealth and/or 
     gender. Many Americans have lost their lives at the hands of 
     domestic violence. The NFL can collaborate with other 
     professional sports organizations and produce a major gift to 
     provide resources to anti domestic violence groups, health 
     clinics, law enforcement and faith organizations to stop the 
     crisis of domestic violence.
       As a Senior Member of the House Judiciary Committee and the 
     Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus 
     who helped reauthorize the most recent Violence Against 
     Women's Act (VAWA), I think it's imperative that we deal with 
     this situation now. Statistics show that one in every four 
     women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. An 
     estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault 
     by an intimate partner each year. 85% of domestic violence 
     victims are women.
       It is imperative that we come together in strong support of 
     a national, broad and comprehensive strategy to address the 
     causes and effects of domestic violence. Weighing heavily on 
     our conscience is the fact that an estimated 46 million 
     children in our country are exposed to violence each year 
     through crime, abuse and trauma. The gravity of the current 
     situation with Ray Rice and the NFL cannot be overstated.
       Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical 
     assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive 
     behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. 
     It is an epidemic affecting individuals in Houston, 
     regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, 
     nationality or educational background. Violence against women 
     is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling 
     behavior, and thus is part of a systematic pattern of 
     dominance and control. Domestic violence results in physical 
     injury, psychological trauma sometimes death. The 
     consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and 
     truly last a lifetime.
       Since coming to Congress I have spearheaded efforts to 
     ensure women have equal opportunity and are treated fairly. I 
     have fought year after year for adequate funding to make 
     shelters and supportive services more accessible to victims 
     of family and domestic violence. It is now time for the NFL 
     to place some of their resources into these shelters and 
     programs that work to alleviate domestic violence in our 
     society. The scourge of domestic violence cannot be silenced 
     or covered up. It is real and the NFL, after all the talk is 
     done, can have a visible, constant and long term impact by 
     providing this major funding initiative. We must take on this 
     challenge with the recognition that changing the pervasive 
     culture of domestic violence will not happen overnight. While 
     we can act now and pass legislation to ameliorate some of 
     causes of the domestic violence epidemic, this problem is 
     larger than our laws. That is why we must make an enduring 
     commitment to our families and children suffering from 
     domestic violence.
       To respond or ask any questions about this letter, please 
     contact my Chief of Staff Glenn Rushing at 202-225-3816. A 
     prompt response to this letter would be appreciated.
           Very truly yours,
                                               Sheila Jackson Lee,
     Member of Congress.

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