[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RAINN'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the 20th 
anniversary of the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), one of 
our Nation's most effective victims' organizations.
  Founded by Scott Berkowitz in 1994, RAINN is the Nation's largest 
anti-sexual violence organization.
  Their cutting edge work has changed the outcome for victims of sexual 
violence for years.
  They have made the country more aware of the evil of sexual assault 
and have aided millions of victims.
  RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which 
provides victims of sexual assault with free, confidential services 
around the clock and has served over 1.5 million people since 1994.
  The hotline expanded its services going online in 2007 helping to 
reach even more victims.
  In addition, RAINN operates the DOD Safe Helpline to aid victims of 
sexual violence in our military.
  Beyond the hotline and other direct victim services, RAINN advocates 
for policies that change the lives of victims of sexual assault and 
engages the public to advocate on behalf of victims' rights bills.
  They were vital in the passage of the Debbie Smith Act, its 
subsequent reauthorizations, the DNA Fingerprint Act, and the Kate 
Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act, and the Sexual Assault 
Forensic Evidence Reporting Act.
  I worked with RAINN on SAFER for years along with Congresswoman 
Maloney and Senator Cornyn.
  SAFER provides grants to states and localities with existing funds to 
audit their rape kit backlog and makes this information available to 
the public.
  SAFER also mandates that more current funds go directly to test rape 
kits.
  Despite the various barriers we encountered throughout the years 
since this idea was brought to me by RAINN, Scott Berkowitz and the 
incredible staff at RAINN never gave up.
  They persevered because they knew it was right.
  They knew that SAFER would bring justice to victims and put 
perpetrators where they belong, behind bars.
  Scott's spirit is like that of a Texan, even though he's from New 
Jersey, but we won't hold that against him.
  That is why we work together so well.
  Congratulations on 20 years of making a true difference in victims' 
lives.

                          ____________________