[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   VICTIMS' RIGHTS CAUCUS AWARDS 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2015

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, crime victims are not statistics.
  They are real people with real stories who have had something bad 
happen to them.
  As a former judge, I used to see victims in my courtroom every day.
   Unfortunately, too often victims are left out of the criminal 
justice process.
  They are also many times overlooked and forgotten in the legislative 
process.
  When I came to Congress, victims did not have an advocate group of 
lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
  That is why Congressman Jim Costa, a Democrat from California, and I, 
a Republican from Texas, founded the Victims' Rights Caucus.
  Supporting crime victims is a bipartisan issue.
  This week is National Crime Victims' Rights week, and the Victims' 
Rights Caucus will recognize those tenacious groups and individuals 
whose life work is to support victims.
  I was proud to nominate Truckers Against Trafficking for the Suzanne 
McDaniel Memorial Award for Public Awareness.
  Much like the award's namesake, Truckers Against Trafficking has 
pioneered efforts in the victims' rights community.
  Truckers Against Trafficking is a traveling nonprofit group that 
works to educate and raise awareness for trafficking in the trucking 
industry.
  These truckers know what signs to look for in a trafficking victim 
and are proactive in their efforts to rescue these victims from their 
trafficker.
  Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) recognized community leader Sergeant 
Jeff Kertson for the Allied Professional Award.
  Sergeant Kertson oversees several units for the Fresno County 
Sheriff's Department.
  This includes the domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, 
child abuse, sex offender registration, missing persons/runaways units, 
as well as a predator program and task force.
  Sergeant Kertson really goes above and beyond to make victim services 
a priority to ensure a safer Fresno community.
  The Ed Stout Memorial Award honors the legacy of the Director of Aid 
for Victims of Crime of St. Louis, Missouri, one of the Nation's oldest 
three victims' assistance organizations.
  Ms. Mary Travers Murphy, nominated by Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-
26), has been a champion for domestic violence victims in her 
community.
  Her work as the Executive Director of the Family Justice Center of 
Erie County (FJCEC) raising funds for domestic violence victims has 
resulted in the opening of two suburban satellite FJCEC centers in Erie 
County.
  Her efforts have strengthened her Erie community.
  Another community leader that deserves recognition is Ms. Kerri True-
Funk.
  She was nominated for the Lois Haight Award of Excellence and 
Innovation by Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13).
  Kerri is the Executive Director of Rape Advocacy, Counseling and 
Education Services (RACES).
  Kerri has championed efforts of prevention and education, which makes 
her the perfect candidate for the Lois Haight Award, working to prevent 
crime before it happens.
  Kerri deserves to be honored for her work with RACES--reducing the 
occurrence of sexual assault among individuals with disabilities 
through empowerment education.
  Victim advocates are wonderful people.
  Many of them I have met over the years are even more special because 
they have used their personal experience to help others.
  That is what the recipient of the Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award did.
  William Kellibrew, nominated by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton 
(DC), had a traumatic past but he chose to fight back.
  He is the founder of the William Kellibrew Foundation (WKF), a 
community-driven partnership that advocates on breaking the cycles of 
violence and poverty.
  The WKF provides support networks for victims while they rebuild 
their lives.
  People like William are living examples of how survivors can use 
their experiences to empower others.
  The Victims' Rights Caucus is also recognizing Robin Smith, the 
founder of Video Action.
  Video Action produces training instructional videos to educate victim 
advocates.
   Robin reaches a vast audience through her videos which has spread 
awareness about victims issues to victim advocates.
  Every single one of these recipients are warriors fighting to protect 
innocent victims and prevent further crimes.
  We thank them for what they do for not only their communities, but 
for our nation.
  Restoring the lives of victims is not easy work, but it's the Lord's 
work, saving people one at a time.
  And that is just the way it is.

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