[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 5, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HAVEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 2015

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize HAVEN and its 
staff and volunteers for their 40 years of service to domestic and 
sexual violence victims and their families. HAVEN is a nationally 
recognized non-profit leader whose survivor-centered services honor 
survivors as experts of their own experiences. HAVEN empowers nearly 
30,000 people each year by providing shelter, counseling, advocacy and 
education programming.
  HAVEN's vision of promoting a world of safe, equal and accountable 
communities is inspiring and moves us ever closer to eradicating sexual 
assault and domestic violence, especially against women and girls, who 
are disproportionately victimized by their partners and others. Their 
programs educate our community about recognizing abusive behaviors, 
understanding the problem and our role in prevention, and how we can 
refuse to contribute to a culture of domestic abuse. I join them in 
asserting their guiding principle, that we all have a right to live 
without fear.
  HAVEN should also be commended on their recent groundbreaking for a 
new facility. The new campus will only expand their ability to provide 
medical, legal, educational, and economic support to survivors and 
their families. When they opened in 1975, there were no laws to protect 
victims from stalking or assault. This new facility will serve as a 
beacon of hope and a statement that their community will support and 
protect them.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor HAVEN for 
their 40 years of leadership in combating domestic violence and sexual 
assault. I thank them for their commitment to our community and wish 
them many more years of success.

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