[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF THE VICTIMS OF CYBER ABUSE

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                           HON. SEAN P. DUFFY

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 20, 2017

  Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Kati Milberg-Pavek 
in recognition of and in shared grief for the indefensible cyber abuse 
she faced following the deaths of her daughter and two nieces: Clara 
Diana Pavek, Lydia Marie Milberg and Laynie Jo Amos. On December 12, 
2013, a terrible tragedy took the lives of three wonderful children. I 
was further saddened and disturbed by the unprovoked comments and 
harassment that the victims and their families subsequently faced on 
social media, as well as local news outlets and publications.
  As First Lady to the United States of America, Melania Trump has 
declared a campaign against cyber-bullying and reckless abuse, and like 
her I rise to condemn the hatred by these reckless individuals. Though 
my words can never reverse the awful heartbreak Ms. Milberg-Pavek and 
her family have suffered, I hope that by speaking out against victims' 
abuse, we can encourage those in control of online platforms to play a 
more active role in monitoring these hateful attacks, especially when 
innocent children are involved. No one should have to endure these 
types of spiteful on-line comments in the wake of a loss again, and I 
stand with those who actively seek to provide solutions for this 
growing problem. My deepest sympathies are with Ms. Milberg-Pavek and 
her family.

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