Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)

[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H633-H644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

PROTECTING YOUNG VICTIMS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE AND SAFE SPORT AUTHORIZATION
ACT OF 2017

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (S. 534) to prevent the sexual abuse of minors and amateur
athletes by requiring the prompt reporting of sexual abuse to law
enforcement authorities, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

S. 534

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting
Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization
Act of 2017''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I--PROTECTING YOUNG VICTIMS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

Sec. 101. Required reporting of child and sexual abuse.
Sec. 102. Civil remedy for personal injuries.

TITLE II--UNITED STATES CENTER FOR SAFE SPORT AUTHORIZATION

Sec. 201. Expansion of the purposes of the corporation.
Sec. 202. Designation of the United States Center for Safe Sport.
Sec. 203. Additional requirements for granting sanctions for amateur
athletic competitions.
Sec. 204. General requirements for youth-serving amateur sports
organizations.

TITLE I--PROTECTING YOUNG VICTIMS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

SEC. 101. REQUIRED REPORTING OF CHILD AND SEXUAL ABUSE.

(a) Reporting Requirement.--Section 226 of the Victims of
Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20341) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``A person who'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) Covered professionals.--A person who''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Covered individuals.--A covered individual who learns
of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has
suffered an incident of child abuse, including sexual abuse,
shall as soon as possible make a report of the suspected
abuse to the agency designated by the Attorney General under
subsection (d).'';
(2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting
``subsection (a)(1)'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) the term `covered individual' means an adult who is
authorized, by a national governing body, a member of a
national governing body, or an amateur sports organization
that participates in interstate or international amateur
athletic competition, to interact with a minor or amateur
athlete at an amateur sports organization facility or at any
event sanctioned by a national governing body, a member of a
national governing body, or such an amateur sports
organization;
``(10) the term `event' includes travel, lodging, practice,
competition, and health or medical treatment;
``(11) the terms `amateur athlete', `amateur athletic
competition', `amateur sports organization', `international
amateur athletic competition', and `national governing body'
have the meanings given the terms in section 220501(b) of
title 36, United States Code; and
``(12) the term `as soon as possible' means within a 24-
hour period.'';
(4) in subsection (d), in the first sentence, by inserting
``and for all covered individuals'' after ``reside'';
(5) in subsection (f), in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``and on all'' and inserting ``on all'';
and
(B) by inserting ``and for all covered individuals,'' after
``lands,'';
(6) in subsection (h), by inserting ``and all covered
individuals,'' after ``facilities,''; and
(7) by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to require a victim of child abuse to self-
report the abuse.''.
(b) Penalty for Failure To Report.--Section 2258 of title
18, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``or a
covered individual as described in subsection (a)(2) of such
section 226 who,'' after ``facility,''.

SEC. 102. CIVIL REMEDY FOR PERSONAL INJURIES.

Section 2255 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--Any person who, while a minor, was a
victim of a violation of section 1589, 1590, 1591, 2241(c),
2242, 2243, 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, 2260, 2421, 2422, or
2423 of this title and who suffers personal injury as a
result of such violation, regardless of whether the injury
occurred while such person was a minor, may sue in any
appropriate United States District Court and shall recover
the actual damages such person sustains or liquidated damages
in the amount of $150,000, and the cost of the action,
including reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation
costs reasonably incurred. The court may also award punitive
damages and such other preliminary and equitable relief as
the court determines to be appropriate.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``filed within'' and all
that follows through the end and inserting the following:
``filed--
``(1) not later than 10 years after the date on which the
plaintiff reasonably discovers the later of--
``(A) the violation that forms the basis for the claim; or
``(B) the injury that forms the basis for the claim; or
``(2) not later than 10 years after the date on which the
victim reaches 18 years of age.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Venue; Service of Process.--
``(1) Venue.--Any action brought under subsection (a) may
be brought in the district court of the United States that
meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section
1391 of title 28.
``(2) Service of process.--In an action brought under
subsection (a), process may be served in any district in
which the defendant--
``(A) is an inhabitant; or
``(B) may be found.''.

TITLE II--UNITED STATES CENTER FOR SAFE SPORT AUTHORIZATION

SEC. 201. EXPANSION OF THE PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION.

Section 220503 of title 36, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (13), by striking ``; and'' and inserting
a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(15) to promote a safe environment in sports that is free
from abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse,
of any amateur athlete.''.

SEC. 202. DESIGNATION OF THE UNITED STATES CENTER FOR SAFE
SPORT.

(a) In General.--Chapter 2205 of title 36, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``Subchapter III--United States Center for Safe Sport

``Sec. 220541. Designation of United States Center for Safe
Sport

``(a) In General.--The United States Center for Safe Sport
shall--
``(1) serve as the independent national safe sport
organization and be recognized worldwide as the independent
national safe sport organization for the United States;
``(2) exercise jurisdiction over the corporation, each
national governing body, and each paralympic sports
organization with regard to safeguarding amateur athletes
against abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual
abuse, in sports;
``(3) maintain an office for education and outreach that
shall develop training, oversight practices, policies, and
procedures to prevent the abuse, including emotional,
physical, and sexual abuse, of amateur athletes participating
in amateur athletic activities through national governing
bodies and paralympic sports organizations;

[[Page H634]]

``(4) maintain an office for response and resolution that
shall establish mechanisms that allow for the reporting,
investigation, and resolution, pursuant to subsection (c), of
alleged sexual abuse in violation of the Center's policies
and procedures; and
``(5) ensure that the mechanisms under paragraph (4)
provide fair notice and an opportunity to be heard and
protect the privacy and safety of complainants.
``(b) Policies and Procedures.--The policies and procedures
developed under subsection (a)(3) shall apply as though they
were incorporated in and made a part of section 220524 of
this title.
``(c) Binding Arbitration.--
``(1) In general.--The Center may, in its discretion,
utilize a neutral arbitration body and develop policies and
procedures to resolve allegations of sexual abuse within its
jurisdiction to determine the opportunity of any amateur
athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator, or official,
who is the subject of such an allegation, to participate in
amateur athletic competition.
``(2) Preservation of rights.--Nothing in this section
shall be construed as altering, superseding, or otherwise
affecting the right of an individual within the Center's
jurisdiction to pursue civil remedies through the courts for
personal injuries arising from abuse in violation of the
Center's policies and procedures, nor shall the Center
condition the participation of any such individual in a
proceeding described in paragraph (1) upon an agreement not
to pursue such civil remedies.
``(d) Limitation on Liability.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an
applicable entity shall not be liable for damages in any
civil action for defamation, libel, slander, or damage to
reputation arising out of any action or communication, if the
action arises from the execution of the responsibilities or
functions described in this section, section 220542, or
section 220543.
``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply in any
action in which an applicable entity acted with actual
malice, or provided information or took action not pursuant
to this section, section 220542, or section 220543.
``(3) Definition of applicable entity.--In this subsection,
the term `applicable entity' means--
``(A) the Center;
``(B) a national governing body;
``(C) a paralympic sports organization;
``(D) an amateur sports organization or other person
sanctioned by a national governing body under section 220525;
``(E) an amateur sports organization reporting under
section 220530;
``(F) any officer, employee, agent, or member of an entity
described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E); and
``(G) any individual participating in a proceeding pursuant
to this section.

``Sec. 220542. Additional duties.

``(a) In General.--The Center shall--
``(1) develop training, oversight practices, policies, and
procedures for implementation by a national governing body or
paralympic sports organization to prevent the abuse,
including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, of any
amateur athlete; and
``(2) include in the policies and procedures developed
under section 220541(a)(3)--
``(A) a requirement that all adult members of a national
governing body, a paralympic sports organization, or a
facility under the jurisdiction of a national governing body
or paralympic sports organization, and all adults authorized
by such members to interact with an amateur athlete, report
immediately any allegation of child abuse of an amateur
athlete who is a minor to--
``(i) the Center, whenever such members or adults learn of
facts leading them to suspect reasonably that an amateur
athlete who is a minor has suffered an incident of child
abuse; and
``(ii) law enforcement consistent with section 226 of the
Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20341);
``(B) a mechanism, approved by a trained expert on child
abuse, that allows a complainant to report easily an incident
of child abuse to the Center, a national governing body, law
enforcement authorities, or other appropriate authorities;
``(C) reasonable procedures to limit one-on-one
interactions between an amateur athlete who is a minor and an
adult (who is not the minor's legal guardian) at a facility
under the jurisdiction of a national governing body or
paralympic sports organization without being in an observable
and interruptible distance from another adult, except under
emergency circumstances;
``(D) procedures to prohibit retaliation, by any national
governing body or paralympic sports organization, against any
individual who makes a report under subparagraph (A) or
subparagraph (B);
``(E) oversight procedures, including regular and random
audits conducted by subject matter experts unaffiliated with,
and independent of, a national governing body or a paralympic
sports organization of each national governing body and
paralympic sports organization to ensure that policies and
procedures developed under that section are followed
correctly and that consistent training is offered and given
to all adult members who are in regular contact with amateur
athletes who are minors, and subject to parental consent, to
members who are minors, regarding prevention of child abuse;
and
``(F) a mechanism by which a national governing body or
paralympic sports organization can--
``(i) share confidentially a report of suspected child
abuse of an amateur athlete who is a minor by a member of a
national governing body or paralympic sports organization, or
an adult authorized by a national governing body, paralympic
sports organization, or an amateur sports organization to
interact with an amateur athlete who is a minor, with the
Center, which in turn, may share with relevant national
governing bodies, paralympic sports organizations, and other
entities; and
``(ii) withhold providing to an adult who is the subject of
an allegation of child abuse authority to interact with an
amateur athlete who is a minor until the resolution of such
allegation.
``(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to limit the ability of a national governing
body or paralympic sports organization to impose an interim
measure to prevent an individual who is the subject of an
allegation of sexual abuse from interacting with an amateur
athlete prior to the Center exercising its jurisdiction over
a matter.

``Sec. 220543. Records, audits, and reports

``(a) Records.--The Center shall keep correct and complete
records of account.
``(b) Report.--The Center shall submit an annual report to
Congress, including--
``(1) an audit conducted and submitted in accordance with
section 10101; and
``(2) a description of the activities of the Center.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 220501(b) of title 36,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as
paragraphs (6) through (10), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3), the following:
``(4) `Center' means the United States Center for Safe
Sport designated under section 220541.
``(5) `child abuse' has the meaning given the term in
section 212 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34
U.S.C. 20302).''.
(c) Technical Amendment.--The table of contents of chapter
2205 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:

``subchapter iii -- united states center for safe sport

``220541. Designation of United States Center for Safe Sport.
``220542. Additional duties.
``220543. Records, audits, and reports.''.

SEC. 203. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTING SANCTIONS FOR
AMATEUR ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS.

Section 220525(b)(4) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) the amateur sports organization or person requesting
sanction from a national governing body will implement and
abide by the policies and procedures to prevent the abuse,
including emotional, physical, and child abuse, of amateur
athletes participating in amateur athletic activities
applicable to such national governing body.''.

SEC. 204. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUTH-SERVING AMATEUR
SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 2205 of title 36,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:

``Sec. 220530. Other amateur sports organizations

``(a) In General.--An applicable amateur sports
organization shall--
``(1) comply with the reporting requirements of section 226
of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20341);
``(2) establish reasonable procedures to limit one-on-one
interactions between an amateur athlete who is a minor and an
adult (who is not the minor's legal guardian) at a facility
under the jurisdiction of the applicable amateur sports
organization without being in an observable and interruptible
distance from another adult, except under emergency
circumstances;
``(3) offer and provide consistent training to all adult
members who are in regular contact with amateur athletes who
are minors, and subject to parental consent, to members who
are minors, regarding prevention and reporting of child abuse
to allow a complainant to report easily an incident of child
abuse to appropriate persons; and
``(4) prohibit retaliation, by the applicable amateur
sports organization, against any individual who makes a
report under paragraph (1).
``(b) Definition of Applicable Amateur Sports
Organization.--In this section, the term `applicable amateur
sports organization' means an amateur sports organization--
``(1) that is not otherwise subject to the requirements
under subchapter III;
``(2) that participates in an interstate or international
amateur athletic competition; and
``(3) whose membership includes any adult who is in regular
contact with an amateur athlete who is a minor.''.
(b) Technical Amendment.--The table of contents of chapter
2205 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 220529 the following:

``220530. Other amateur sports organizations.''.

[[Page H635]]

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Poe) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.

General Leave

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 534, currently
under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that today we are voting on S. 534, the
Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization
Act of 2017. This important legislation protects child athletes from
both sexual and physical abuse.
Over the past year, the Nation was horrified to learn of the decades
of abuse that occurred within USA Gymnastics by Dr. Larry ``Lecherous''
Nassar. The middle name was added by me, Mr. Speaker. Last week, Nassar
was sentenced to between 40 and 175 years' incarceration after pleading
guilty to several counts of sexual assault.
Over 150 women and girls gave victim impact statements. How a serial
predator like Dr. Nassar could have preyed on so many young girls for
such a long time in such a flagrant fashion is appalling.
Our amateur gymnasts were failed. They were failed by the very people
who are supposed to protect them and do no harm, as doctors are
supposed to do.
In the past weeks, we have not only seen Dr. Nassar brought to
justice, but we have also seen many others held accountable for their
roles of commission and omission associated with these atrocities.
Though we are glad to see justice finally served in this case, we must
take appropriate measures to prevent this from occurring again. This
bill will do that.
Under current law, the Victims of Child Abuse Act requires persons
engaged in certain activities and professions on Federal lands or in
Federal facilities to report child abuse. Failure to report could
subject such persons to criminal penalties.
This bill expands these mandatory reporting requirements to adults
working at national governing boards, that is, amateur sports
organizations recognized by the United States Olympic Committee, such
as USA Gymnastics or USA Tennis, or at sanctioned events. The bill also
charters a new organization called Safe Sport, tasked with preventing
child abuse within the national governing bodies through education and
handling reports of misconduct.
Safe Sport will assure these national governing bodies abide by such
policies and procedures to assure that predators like Dr. Nassar will
never again be permitted to terrorize young athletes with impunity.
I would like to thank Mrs. Brooks of Indiana for her hard work on
this issue and for assembling a bipartisan team of cosponsors.
Protecting our young people, including those who have sacrificed so
much to represent the United States, such as Olympic athletes, is and
should be a bipartisan undertaking.
I commend my colleagues for their support, and I urge them to vote in
favor of S. 534.
Mr. Speaker, I have 133 victim impact statements of young women that
were made at this sentencing, and I want to read just a few phrases
from some of these strong athletes who had the courage to come forward
and tell what Dr. Nassar did to them.
The first one is from Donna Markham. Donna's daughter Chelsey was an
athlete under the supervision of Nassar. She could not give a victim
impact statement, and here is why, according to her mother, Donna: ``In
2009, she took her own life. She couldn't deal with the pain anymore.
Every day I miss her. It all started with him.''
Danielle Moore: ``I hope being reduced to a prison number''--she is
talking to Nassar--``will define you as it defined me for so many
years. I will no longer be known as a number, and I will be Dr.
Danielle Moore.''
Megan Halicek: ``As I stand here, I still flash back to the feelings
of fear, laying frozen in his office, my sweating, shaking body,
adrenaline pumping, painfully clutching the sides of the table, waiting
for the sick treatment to be over.''
Gwen Anderson: ``I still remember him saying, `It's okay. I know
you're not used to being touched there, but it will feel better.''
And here is what Gwen's coach had to say, Thomas Brennan: ``For the
record, go to hell. . . . What you did to everyone else who trusted you
and sent girls your way is disgusting, reprehensible, unforgivable.''
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 534, the Protecting Young
Victims From Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, but
I thank my colleagues here in the House, Congresswoman Brooks and
Congresswoman Frankel of Florida.
In Michigan, there was a volcanic action. One might call it the
``Nassar volcano.'' It acted, and there was no reaction. It was
deadening silence. No one responded to the volcano that kept pouring
poisonous lava in the way of young, beautiful athletes.
I would hope and wish that I was not on the floor today with my
colleague from Texas having to discuss this life-changing experience
for these young athletes who wanted to do nothing else but to make
their families proud first, maybe exceed, and be able to adhere to
their faith, determination, and resolve and make their Nation, their
State, their school proud of them, young girls, women, who, heretofore,
Mr. Speaker, had been held back or told that this sport was not for
them.
I am reminded of the women's hockey team, and I heard a young hockey
player indicate that her grandmother said that hockey was not for
girls.
All they wanted to do was to make us proud. All they wanted to do is
to show the strength of women and the resolve of women. That is why I
think this bill not only is important, Mr. Speaker, but it is timely to
come today; but all of us would have wished, with no condemnation, that
we had it 5 years ago or 10 years ago.
But remember what I said: the volcanic action was faced with
deafening silence, for those who knew and for the girls who wanted to
make us proud thought that the best way to resolve it or to handle it
was to embrace it, accept it, suffer, and still make us proud.
That is why I believe this bill is crucial, and I am very glad to be
on the floor with the two House sponsors, and I thank Senator Feinstein
for her efforts, because this bill would prevent the sexual abuse of
minors and amateur athletes by requiring the prompt reporting of sexual
abuse to law enforcement authorities.
This is a reasonable and important measure that is intended to
protect young athletes--and listen to the sound of the volcano--from
abuse and preserve the sanctity of sports associated with the U.S.
Olympic Committee, the organization responsible for preparing and
training young athletes who might one day represent our Nation
competitively all over the world.
How proud we are as we sit and view them on the Nation's televisions,
the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics that are about to start.
How shameful it is that we have to have this legislation to protect
them and, as well, the deadening silence at Michigan State University
and Dr. Nassar. I guess the only words that he could say are how
ashamed and embarrassed and sorry he is.
Eons and eons and eons of young women now live with that pain.
Children deserve to fully enjoy the innocence of their youth by
exploring the curiosities of the world, taking pleasure in the art,
participating in sports free of abuse.
Yes, I am going to defend the parents. I know some of them are overly
eager. We have seen them at Little League, and we have seen them at
football competition for little ones and middle school and high school,
and they are overly enthusiastic. You can't condemn a parent for being
proud of their child. And if that child wants to be engaged in sports,
you can't condemn that parent for trying to get

[[Page H636]]

them the best doctor and best instructor. Those parents were not
protected--deafening silence.
Sexual abuse of children and youth is an abhorrent practice that is
intolerable in any context, and we must take appropriate measures to
eliminate it from youth sports. Young people look to adults to protect
them and keep them safe. We all have a responsibility to do so. With S.
534, we have an opportunity to ensure that individuals abide by this
duty.
Certain other professionals, such as doctors, dentists, social
workers, psychologists, teachers, and daycare workers, are already
bound by law to report suspected abuse to law enforcement. Finally, S.
534 will require the same of adults who interact with young athletes in
connection with sports activities organized by the national governing
bodies of various sports.
The urgent need for this legislation is best illustrated by the
horrible abuse and exploitation of numerous young gymnasts at the hands
of Dr. Larry Nassar, who victimized young athletes participating in USA
Gymnastics over the course of 20 years--20 years, two decades.
All of our hearts should break. In those 20 years, there were lives
ruined. They will never be the vibrant, excited young women that they
were as they entered this wonderful experience of showing their
prowess, their genius, and their strength. The stories of abuse and
suffering of these young women are heartbreaking.
Many complaints of sexual and emotional abuse by Nassar and others
went unreported for years, allowing coaches, instructors, and doctors
to repeatedly victimize gymnasts as young as 6 years old. The shocking
failure of anyone to report accusations to law enforcement or even keep
track of complaints internally made it possible for some of these
predators to commit multiple horrific acts over time. We entrust the
care of our children and young athletes to those we hope will uphold
the trust and not abuse it.
One of the more than 150 girls and women victimized by Dr. Nassar was
recently quoted as saying:

He has everything he needs to be an incredible leader. He
has the personality, the skill, and the knowledge, and he's
using it to prey on people. What a waste.

Last week, a Michigan judge sentenced Nassar to a prison sentence of
up to 175 years. The judge called Nassar's assaults on scores of girls
and women under the pretense that he was treating them as ``precise,
calculated, manipulative, devious, despicable.'' She also indicated
what a debasing human being he was and is.
We must continue to do more to help protect our young athletes, and
this bill will greatly assist in that effort. However, I must note a
concern with a change the bill before us would make to the Senate-
passed version of S. 534.
The bill unanimously passed by the Senate would authorize funding to
be provided to the U.S. Center for Safe Sport in the amount of $1
million for each of the next 4 years. Unfortunately, the version of the
bill before us strips this funding authorization. I believe we should
have taken up the Senate bill without amendment.
Safe Sport is charged with important responsibilities under this bill
with respect to receiving and investigating all allegations of abuse
and setting policies to prevent future abuse, so this bill has taken
out that language from the Senate.

{time} 1715

It is critical that we ensure that the center is provided the
resources for those things to be done immediately. By doing so, I hope
we will prevent the type of abuse and suffering perpetrated by the
people like Larry Nassar.
In a recent open letter from the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians
Association to athletes everywhere, they wrote:

The goal of Olympianism is to place sport at the service of
the harmonious development of humankind, womankind, with a
view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the
preservation of human dignity. Now we must ask: How can
athlete dignity be preserved when the responsible
institutions fail so in their oversight?

In an apology letter to Team USA from the United States Olympic
Committee issued last week, the committee admitted that they had failed
these young athletes.
Frankly, I believe that whole committee and system should be
overhauled, reviewed, inspected, and changed. While the USA Gymnastics
scandal is unfortunate, let it be an example and an incentive to
prevent such abuse from happening in the nooks and crannies of this
Nation, in the villages and cities and counties where young people who
are starry-eyed and ready to accept the leadership of an adult are
ready to show their proudness as well as their talent, their strength,
and their resolve. I hope that we will never end that here in America.
Mr. Speaker, accordingly, I encourage my colleagues to join me in
supporting this important legislation. I hope we will see fit to fund
it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments of my friend from Texas. Just
so it is clear, I agree with her on the money. It should have been
funded, but it was ruled an earmark, and we can't do earmarks anymore.
We have to go through another process to get that funding. A good
reason why we ought to have earmarks.
Mr. Speaker, Amanda Barterian said this at the sentencing hearing:
``I refuse to let Larry Nassar take anything more from here. He has
already taken enough.''
Nicole Walker said this at the sentencing hearing: ``I have anxiety
and sleep disorders all because of what you''--Nassar--``did to me.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs.
Brooks), a former U.S. attorney.
Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Poe) for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, S. 534.
I also want to thank my colleague from the other side of the aisle,
the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues that I co-
chair, Representative Lois Frankel from Florida, for helping me get
this bill to this point and for helping us support Senator Feinstein
and Senator Thune as they move the bill in the Senate.
In less than 2 weeks, over 200 American athletes will represent our
Nation at the highest levels of sport in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games
in PyeongChang.
These athletes have prepared their entire lives for these games, and
their performances are a result of countless hours of practice, self-
discipline, and sacrifice.
Tragically, we have also learned that many of our young athletes have
been subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of those who were supposed
to be supporting them reach their Olympic goals.
We have seen more than 156 women use their voices to share their
agonizing stories of sexual abuse at the hands of a doctor they and
their parents were told to trust, Dr. Larry Nassar.
Their decision to publicly reveal their traumatic experiences is
nothing short of heroic, and it was instrumental is ensuring that
Nassar will never again touch another young athlete.
Now, after a 2016 Indianapolis Star investigation exposed what is now
known as the worst sexual abuse scandal in athletics to date, we are
taking action to prevent this heinous action from ever taking place
again.
Today, the House will vote on the Protecting Young Victims from
Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. This
bipartisanship legislation mandates training, increases requirements
for reporting abuse, and reforms a broken system that has failed too
many victims.
This bill requires any individual who interacts with our amateur
athletes to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse,
within 24 hours. If they fail to do so, they will be held accountable
by the new law.
To prevent future emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, this bill
designates the United States Center for Safe Sport to develop,
implement, and enforce policies, procedures, and mandatory training for
national governing bodies and their members.
The center will ensure that, when reports of abuse are made, they are
investigated. It protects those who report abuse from retaliation. As
commonsense would dictate, it requires that, until the investigation is
closed, an adult who is subject to allegations

[[Page H637]]

of abuse against a minor is prohibited from interacting with minors.
As the Nassar sentencings come to a close and the Olympic games
quickly approach, we are reminded of the importance of protecting the
safety and well-being of all of our athletes.
Today, we are strengthening protections for victims to ensure
transparency and accountability, and putting the safety and the health
of our athletes and every young athlete who has ever dreamed of the
Olympic stage first.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for consideration of this bill and
I urge my colleagues to pass the Senate bill.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Florida (Ms. Frankel), the cosponsor of the House bill, and I
thank her for her leadership on these issues.
Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Poe and Ms.
Jackson Lee for leading this debate today. And, of course, I want to
thank Susan Brooks, my co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's
Issues, for her support. This is an example of bipartisanship at its
best. And, of course, I also thank Dianne Feinstein over in the Senate,
whose bill we are taking up, our companion bill.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Protecting Young Victims from
Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act. It is a long name, but
it is important. It came about on the heels of reports of sexual abuse
at the highest levels of USA Gymnastics.
Me Too has come to the Olympics, and we have heard from more than 150
very brave young women, extraordinary not only in their talent but in
their courage, who have shared their harrowing stories of sexual abuse
at the hands of a doctor, Larry Nassar, who they were told to trust.
One of these stories is from Mattie Larson, who was a budding young
gymnast and a future Olympic medalist. At age 14, she hurt her hip and
was sent to Dr. Nassar, the well-known and now disgraced doctor who
cared for hundreds of athletes like Mattie.
Instead of healing her hip, he crippled her mind. For 5 years, this
doctor molested this young woman. She became so desperate at one point
that she feigned a slip and fall and a concussion just to try to get
out of ever going back to the Olympic facility.
Mattie said: ``. . . I just couldn't take any more abuse. I was
broken. Larry, my coaches, and USA Gymnastics turned the sport I fell
in love with as a kid into my personal living hell.''
These children are children, like Mattie, who want to represent our
country and who give up so much of their childhood, getting up early,
practicing hard, on weekends going to competitions, and then only to be
subjected to sexual abuse by the team doctor, and then either ignored
or encouraged to keep silent.
I say shame, shame, shame on those who enabled this.
It may be too late to protect Mattie and Olympic stars like Aly
Raisman, but this legislation, by requiring proper reporting and
notifying procedures, will protect our future young athletes. I urge my
colleagues to support this very, very good bipartisanship legislation.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Katherine Gordon said this at the
sentencing: ``Sexual assault is distant until you realize each girl in
the news is a broken mirror.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Bishop).
Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.
534, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport
Authorization Act of 2017.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) for giving me
this opportunity to speak.
Mr. Speaker, last week was a tough week in my district and in our
country. In a courtroom in Lansing, Michigan, 156 victims, one by one,
bravely faced depraved sexual predator Larry Nassar to recount their
personal story of unimaginable and despicable atrocities.
As we now know, reports of sexual misconduct were routinely dismissed
or flatly ignored by the management of USA Gymnastics. As a direct
result, hundreds of young women, all of whom relied on these trusted
professionals all around them, were sexually assaulted under the guise
of medical treatment.
The court did its part this week and sentenced Nassar to a maximum
prison term where he will spend the rest of his life. But the
investigation continues and others will be held accountable in days to
come.
For our part during this process, Members of Congress must do
everything in their power to ensure that this never happens again. With
that as our objective, I believe this bill takes a dramatic step in the
right direction.

Now, I must say in all candor, I stand before you today in absolute
disbelief; disbelief in the layers of mismanagement that should have
prevented this from happening, but also disbelief that it takes an act
of Congress to ensure a congressionally chartered organization fulfill
its obligation to care for and protect the young athletes with whom
their parents have entrusted.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my constituents in offering our
heartfelt prayers to the victims and their families for the nightmare
that they have experienced.
To all of you: Please know my colleagues and I will do everything in
our power to be your strong advocate and to ensure justice.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to advocate and support this
legislation
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, as we have listened to various speakers, I am glad that
we are joined by men and women of the United States Congress. All of us
have indicated the sadness in which we do this now.
But I think it is also important to take note of the fact of
individuals who have to be held responsible. We know that the president
of the university was asked to resign, or in fact has resigned. As we
go forward, there will be others as well.
This should be the clarion call, even as this legislation is passed
and signed by the President, for all of these agencies and associations
that run sports for children to do their own vetting and internal
assessment of individuals who are not there for the benefit of children
but are there for the benefit of themselves.
156-plus women were molested by this doctor. One of the victims said
something that stops your breath. This could have been stopped in 1997,
more than 20 years ago.
So this legislation should move swiftly to the President's desk.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

{time} 1730

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen).
Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I
thank the gentleman for his leadership as well as the author, Mrs.
Brooks, for her leadership on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Protecting Young Victims
from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act. In the wake of the
horrendous revelations of sexual abuse brought to the forefront by the
recent USA Gymnastics case, it is clear that measures do need to be put
in place to protect young athletes and keep them safe.
No child should ever be put in the position of having their innocence
robbed from them, which is why we need to have the highest protections
of the law from those looking to exploit them and take advantage of
their vulnerability.
I would encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this
bipartisan bill which will require amateur athletic-governing bodies to
immediately report sex abuse allegations to local or Federal law
enforcement and also to make it safe and easy for victims to report
that abuse.
As the Olympics approach, there is no doubt, we will all be reminded,
unfortunately, of the recent sexual abuse case that took place with the
gymnastics team. But this is our opportunity to take action, to do
everything in our power to make sure that this does not happen again,
and to protect all of our young and future athletes, giving them the
confidence that they will never be put in a situation where an adult or
someone who may have inappropriate intentions does not have the ability
to do so.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.

[[Page H638]]

Mr. Speaker, when I read the quote from the accuser who said this
could have been stopped in 1997, the article's headline was that eight
times Larry Nassar could have been stopped. Eight times. So it is
important to take note of this legislation as a clarion call, and these
words are most important.
This provision makes it unlawful for an adult who is authorized by a
national governing body, a member of a national governing body, or an
amateur sports organization that participates in interstate or
international amateur athletic competition to interact with a minor or
amateur athlete at specific events to fail to report as soon as
possible child and sexual abuse to local law enforcement or another
agency.
Many times members of the Judiciary Committee don't like wide nets.
We have a responsibility to adhere to the Constitution. But we are the
committee that has the responsibility of upholding the rule of law. And
to all of those who are now in this wide net, that is the rule of law:
to be able to protect our children against massive sexual abuse as they
pursue their dreams.
Just a comment, the requirement would arise on a person that learns
of the facts that give reason to suspect that a child has suffered an
incident of child abuse, including sexual abuse; and, therefore, those
who can say or attempt to say, ``I couldn't understand what the child
was saying; it wasn't clear,'' but if they got a sense that there was a
problem, they come under that net. I believe that that is appropriate.
Let me also indicate that there is a long list of sheroes who have
been impacted by Dr. Nassar. My constituent stated, on January 16, a
former Olympic gymnast who wowed the world, Simone Biles, said that she
was abused by Dr. Nassar.
The long list of Dr. Nassar's victims include U.S. Olympic gymnasts
McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and Gabby Douglas. They represented the
country and made us proud. And can you imagine? They were abused. Let
me thank the many organizations that have worked hard to advance this
legislation, including Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, RAINN,
the Nation's largest antisexual violence organization. They have been
magnificent.
I include in the Record a number of letters, Mr. Speaker, because
each day approximately 600 individuals are affected by sexual violence,
most of whom are children or parents seeking support, and they are
served by this organization.
The first letter I include in the Record supporting this legislation
is from RAINN, which urges the House of Representatives and others to
pass this legislation so that it can move quickly into the position to
be signed by the President.

RAINN,

Washington, DC, November 27, 2017.
Hon. Paul Ryan,
Speaker of the House,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
House of Representatives.
Hon. John Thune,
U.S. Senate.
Hon. Susan Brooks,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Minority Leader,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Steny Hoyer,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Dianne Feinstein,
U.S. Senate.
Hon. Lois Frankel,
House of Representatives.
Dear House and Senate Leaders: RAINN, the nation's largest
anti-sexual violence organization, urges the House of
Representatives to pass the Protecting Young Victims from
Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act.
Every two minutes in America, someone is sexually
assaulted. Every eight minutes, that individual is a child.
The Senate-passed bill, which has RAINN's support and
reflects months of bipartisan work and deliberation, is an
important step forward in ensuring that young athletes can
train and compete in the safe environments they deserve. The
legislation strengthens and streamlines the process for
reporting abuse of amateur athletes, and requires officials
and coaches who work with prospective Olympians to undergo
training on sexual abuse.
Survivors are reaching out to RAINN, which operates the
National Sexual Assault Hotline, in record numbers. There has
been a 21 percent increase in those contacting our hotline.
Each day, RAINN's victim service programs provide support to
approximately 600 individuals affected by sexual violence,
assisting a record 19,432 people in October alone. Many who
contact the Hotline are children or parents seeking support.
We urge the House of Representatives to advance this
legislation, as passed by the Senate, without delay. Doing so
will demonstrate a commitment to ensuring young athletes who
dream of representing our nation at the highest levels can
achieve their goals safely and in a respectful environment.
Thank you and please do not hesitate to contact RAINN with
questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Rebecca W. O'Connor, Esq.,
Vice President of Public Policy.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, every 2 minutes in America, someone is
sexually assaulted; every 8 minutes, that individual is a child.
Let me include in the Record a letter from the U.S. Olympians and
Paralympians Association, and I would like to call out their names.
These are all athletes: Dick Fosbury, track and field; Willie Banks,
track and field; Allison Baver, speedskating; Carol Brown, rowing;
Candace Cable, Paralympic track and field; Caryn Davies, rowing; Gary
Hall, Sr., swimming; Micki King, diving; Carol Lewis, track and field;
John Naber, swimming; Bill Toomey, track and field; Iris Zimmerman,
fencing.

U.S. Olympians & Paralympians

Association.

An open letter from the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians
Association to athletes everywhere:
We hear you.
We have heard your many stories detailing the sexual and
emotional abuse you endured while training and competing in
pursuit of your goals and your dreams. We applaud your
individual and collective courage and conviction in coming
forward and telling all . . . and calling out those who
abused your trust.
We are both appalled by the actions of those who hurt you
and deeply saddened by your suffering. For those whose
stories we haven't heard (and may never hear), we respect
your decision and your privacy . . . but also acknowledge the
pain you feel in silence.
We are united in saying that there is no place for abuse in
sport--at any age, at any level, in any venue. As Olympic and
Paralympic alumni, we want you to know we are a family that
stands strong for the ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic
movements.
When we, as athletes, returned from past Games, we shared
an understanding that ``The goal of Olympism is to place
sport at the service of the harmonious development of
humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society
concerned with the preservation of human dignity.'' Now we
must ask how can athlete dignity be preserved when the
responsible institutions fail so in their oversight?
So what shall we do? We shall continue to advocate for
education and safe sport, to teach young boys and girls to
recognize the signs of abuse and provide a safe place to
speak without repercussion. Parents, coaches and trainers
need to be educated to recognize the signs and learn how to
behave properly in coaching situations. We shall support
Title IX, the U.S. Center for SafeSport and pending federal
legislation to protect our athletes.
For any of you who are currently in need (or know someone
who is), the newly created and independent U.S. Center for
SafeSport is available for confidential 24/7 reporting and
crisis support:
SafeSport.org
24/7 SafeSport Crisis Helpline 866-200-0796
We know the power of commitment to a belief and to goals;
our goal is that your experiences are never repeated.
Together, we shall seek to create a way of life based on the
joy of effort.
Together in sport,
United States Olympians and Paralympians Association
Executive Committee
President Dick Fosbury--Track and Field, 1968
Willie Banks--Track and Field, 1980/1984/1988
Allison Baver--Speedskating, 2002/2006/2010
Carol Brown--Rowing 1976/1980/1984
Candace Cable--Paralympic Track and Field, 1980/1988/1992/
1996, Alpine Skiing, 1992; Nordic Skiing,1994/1998/2002/2006
Caryn Davies--Rowing, 2004/2008/2012
Gary Hall Sr.--Swimming, 1968/1972/1976
Micki King--Diving, 1968/1972
Carol Lewis--Track and Field, 1980/1984/1988
John Naber--Swimming, 1976
Bill Toomey--Track and Field, 1968
Iris Zimmerman--Fencing, 2000

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, likewise, I include in the Record a
letter, dated November 16, 2017, from the CWLA, Child Welfare League of
America, an organization that worked on this issue.

[[Page H639]]

CWLA,

Washington, DC, November 16, 2017.
Hon. Paul Ryan,
Speaker of the House,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
House of Representatives.
Hon. John Thune,
U.S. Senate.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Minority Leader,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Steny Hoyer,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Dianne Feinstein,
U.S. Senate.
Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Congressman McCarthy,
Congressman Hoyer, Senator Thune, and Senator Feinstein:
The Child Welfare League of America, after months of
bipartisan work and deliberation, urges the House of
Representatives to pass the Protecting Young Victims from
Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act.
This bipartisan legislation has now passed the Senate and
we firmly believe it will help to address some of the recent
reports of child sexual abuse that occurred against some of
this nation's finest young athletes while training for the
United States Olympic team. Based on past history and
reports, CWLA believes that stronger legislative action is
required so that this history does not continue to repeat
itself.
Over these past several months we have been able to work
with key congressional offices to enhance the responsibility
and the accountability of U.S. Olympic organizations. Several
parts of this bill, including the authorization and funding
for the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, are critical to this
accountability.
We hope the House of Representatives will act without delay
so parents and young athletes can live out their dreams of
competing on behalf of this country and do so with the
assurance they will be safe and respected.
Thank you for your attention on behalf of children.
Sincerely,
Christine James-Brown,
President/CEO, Child Welfare League of America.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from
the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They have worked along with
RAINN and have emphasized that the Nation's youngest have been impacted
by this dastardly series of actions.

DC Coalition Against

Domestic Violence,

Washington, DC, November 20, 2017.
Hon. Paul Ryan,
Speaker of the House,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Susan Brooks,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
House of Representatives.
Hon. John Thune,
U.S. Senate.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Minority Leader,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Lois Frankel,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Steny Hoyer,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Dianne Feinstein,
U.S. Senate.
Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Ms. Brooks, Ms. Frankel,
Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Thune, and Ms. Feinstein:
The DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence urges the House
of Representatives to pass the Protecting Young Victims from
Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act.
This bipartisan legislation is imperative to respond to the
numerous disclosures of child sexual abuse by our nation's
youngest and most accomplished athletes while they were
training for the U.S. Olympics. Intervention and prevention
measures through this legislation are desperately needed to
keep our children safe and hold offenders and entities
accountable for their actions and their silence.
Authorization and funding for the U.S. Center for Safe Sport
will be the first significant step toward this goal.
We ask the House of Representatives to swiftly and
expeditiously pass this legislation to protect our young
athletes and show them they are valued and deserve to excel
in their chosen sport without fear of and violence from those
they trust.
Thank you for your commitment to ending sexual abuse,
please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can be of
further assistance in this charge.
Sincerely,
Karma Cottman,
Executive Director.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from
Professor Emeritus Howard M. Rubin from DePaul University who speaks
about sexual abuse. ``My wife, Barbara Blaine, knew the lasting damage
that is caused when a child is abused having been a child victim.''

DePaul University

College of Law,

Chicago, Illinois, November 16, 2017.
Re: SB.534/ HR 1973--Protecting Young Victims from Sexual
Abuse Act of 2017

Senator Dianne Feinstein,
Senator John Thune,
Representative Susan Brooks,
Representative Lois Frankel.
Dear Lawmakers: I am writing to enthusiastically support
S.534/HR 1973 and to express my appreciation for your work in
drafting and advancing this legislation. In the wake of the
deluge of sexual harassment scandals breaking on a daily
basis, the American public is crying out for recognition of
women's rights, and the rights of victims of sexual abuse and
harassment.
While there is no way to quantify the struggles of one
victim against another a young victim's childhood is
indelibly harmed by sexual abuse. My wife, Barbara Blaine,
knew the lasting damage that is caused when a child is abused
having been a child victim. For her entire adult life she
fought selflessly and tirelessly to ensure the safety and
well-being of survivors, to prevent children from suffering
abuse, and to hold accountable those responsible. Abusers and
their enablers utilizing their power and status as shields
against prosecution and retribution were dragged out into the
light of justice and accountability by Barbara's ceaseless
crusade as advocate.
One of Barbara's passions was confronting unfair statute of
limitations. They protected abusers and punished young
victims unable to confront their abuse till later in life.
The language in S.534 that extends statute of limitations for
victims of child sexual abuse pertaining to federal crimes is
a tribute to her efforts.
Barbara cast a bright light against the darkness, but
tragically, her flame was snuffed out far too soon. She left
this world suddenly and before she could finish her life's
work. It is upon us now to stoke the embers left in the wake
of that lifetime, that her legacy might live on forever
through S.534, and cast such a spark so as to permanently
light the way towards justice for those who have been abused.
I would consider it an honor to be included in the list of
supporters for S.534.
Sincerely,
Howard M Rubin,
Professor Emeritus.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from
the National Children's Alliance, which has been working with other
advocacy groups and, again, has done longstanding work against child
abuse, supporting this legislation.

National Children Alliance,

Washington, DC, November 20, 2017.
Hon. Paul Ryan,
Speaker of the House,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
U.S. House of Representatives.
Hon. John Thune,
U.S. Senate.
Hon. Susan Brooks,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Minority Leader,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Steny Hoyer,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Dianne Feinstein,
U.S. Senate.
Hon. Lois Frankel,
House of Representatives.
Dear Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi:
Dear Congressman McCarthy and Congressman Hoyer:
Dear Senator Thune and Senator Feinstein:
Dear Congresswoman Brooks and Congresswoman Frankel: The
National Children's Alliance, in cooperation with numerous
other advocacy groups, encourages the House of
Representatives to pass the Protecting Young Victims from
Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act (S.534).
Having recently passed the Senate, this bipartisan
legislation seeks to address the numerous reports of
childhood sexual abuse that have occurred against our
nation's young athletes. The recent press surrounding the
United States' Olympic trainees only serves to heighten the
need for a strong legislative response.
The NCA's longstanding work on child abuse leads us to
believe that this legislation will increase the
accountability of U.S. Olympic organizations and help ensure
that incidences of this nature are not repeated. In
particular, authorization and funding for the U.S. Center for
Safe Sport is one of the critical provisions of this bill
that will actively enhance U.S. Olympic organizations'
responsibility in these matters. It establishes an office for
education and outreach to develop the appropnate training,
policies, and procedures to combat and prevent the emotional,
physical, and sexual abuse, of young athletes competing in
athletic activities sponsored by national governing bodies
and Paralympic sports organizations.
We hope that the House of Representatives will take swift
action and stand with us in ensuring that our young athletes
are protected as they stave to compete on behalf of our
nation.
Thank you for your consideration of our youth.
Sincerely,

Teresa Huizar,

Executive Director,
National Children's Alliance.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. CHILD USA: Let's End Child Abuse and Neglect said

[[Page H640]]

in a letter, which I include in the Record: ``This bill would shine
much needed sunlight on the problem of abuse in sports. It will protect
children in the future.''

CHILD USA,

November 20, 2017.
Hon. Paul Ryan,
Speaker of the House,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
House of Representatives.
Hon. John Thune,
U.S. Senate.
Hon. Susan Brooks,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Minority Leader,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Steny Hoyer,
House of Representatives.
Hon. Dianne Feinstein,
U.S. Senate.
Hon. Lois Frankel,
House of Representatives.
Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Congressman McCarthy,
Congressman Hoyer, Senator Thune, Senator Feinstein,
Congresswoman Brooks, and Congresswoman Frankel:
CHILD USA urges the House of Representatives to pass the
Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport
Authorization Act. This bill would shine much needed sunlight
on the problem of abuse in sports. It will protect children
in the future.
The bill, as passed by the Senate, institutes important and
minimally necessary measures to ensure the protection of
children from abuse in sports: (1) mandatory reporting of
child abuse to SafeSport and the authorities. Many states do
not mandate such reporting and, therefore, the bill fills
that need; (2) a rule against retaliation for those who
report suspected abuse; (3) a limitation on coaches and other
adults from taking a child to a place that is not observable
by others; and (4) for the first time, makes amateur sports
organizations accountable for abuse of children. Taken
together, these are large steps forward.
The epidemic of child abuse in the United States needs
Congress to lead the way on child protection with this bill.
Children deserve the protections of the Protecting Young
Victims Act and they need it now. Thank you for your efforts
for the protection of America's children.
Sincerely,
Marci A. Hamilton,
CEO.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I also include in the Record a letter
from the United States Olympic Committee, dated January 24, 2018.

United States Olympic Committee,

Colorado Springs, CO, January 24, 2018.
To Team USA: The athlete testimony that just concluded in
the Nassar hearings framed the tragedy through the eyes of
the victims and survivors, and was worse than our own worst
fears. It was powerful because of the strength of the
victims, survivors and parents, who so eloquently and
forcefully told their stories and so rightfully demanded
justice. The USOC should have been there to hear it in
person, and I am deeply sorry that did not happen.
The purpose of this message is to tell all of Nassar's
victims and survivors, directly, how incredibly sorry we are
We have said it in other contexts, but we have not been
direct enough with you. We are sorry for the pain caused by
this terrible man, and sorry that you weren't afforded a safe
opportunity to pursue your sports dreams. The Olympic family
is among those that have failed you.
I know this apology is not enough. We have been working on
taking steps at the USOC and mandating changes among National
Governing Bodies to ensure this does not happen again. Our
next steps will be these:
1. We Must Change the Culture of the Sport. This was the
primary recommendation of the independent Deborah Daniels
Report on USA Gymnastics and the athlete testimony underlined
its importance. We heard athletes describe being unsure or
unaware of how to report abuse and to whom, and sometimes
even what constitutes abuse. We heard athletes describe being
afraid or discouraged from reporting abuse. We heard athletes
describe feeling hurt, betrayed, discounted and alone. Since
October of last year, we have been engaged in direct talks
with USAG leadership on this fundamental point. New
leadership at the board level is critical and you recently
saw three USAG board resignations. Further changes are
necessary to help create a culture that fosters safe sport
practice, offers athletes strong resources in education and
reporting, and ensures the healing of the victims and
survivors. This includes a full turnover of leadership from
the past, which means that all current USAG directors must
resign.
2. We Must Change the Governance Structure of the NGB. We
need to help USA Gymnastics better support its mission, which
is to provide the best resources and safest environment for
athletes to train and compete. We have strongly considered
decertifying USAG as a National Governing Body. But USA
Gymnastics includes clubs and athletes who had no hand in
this and who need to be supported. We believe it would hurt
more than help the athletes and their sport. But we will
pursue decertification if USA Gymnastics does not fully
embrace the necessary changes in their governance structure
along with other mandated changes under review right now.
3. We Must Know Who Knew What and When. The USOC has
decided to launch an investigation by an independent third
party to examine how an abuse of this proportion could have
gone undetected for so long. We need to know when complaints
were brought forward and to who. This investigation will
include both USAG and the USOC, and we believe USAG will
cooperate fully. We will make the results public.
4. We Must Support Safe Sport Victims and Survivors. Team
USA safe sport assault victims and survivors need access to
testing, treatment and counseling. The USOC will devote
substantial funds to help provide these resources to victims
and survivors. We are working on the details of how this
funding will become available to athletes and will
communicate them soon.
I hope that all members of Team USA remember that the USOC
ombudsman office is always available to provide free,
independent and confidential help to athletes with concerns
or questions about safe sport or other matters. Contact
information, along with other helpful athlete resources, are
here.
In order to bring even more focus and urgency to these
important points, the USOC board of directors has mobilized a
board-level working group chaired by independent board member
Susanne Lyons.
Finally, I invite any member of Team USA to communicate
with me or Ms. Lyons directly if there is more that you think
the Olympic family can or should be doing for you and your
families.
Sincerely,
Scott Blackmun,
Chief Executive Officer.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Poe for his
longstanding work on these issues, the two House cosponsors, and the
Senator, and I want to end with, with that volcanic action, there was
no reaction, a deafening silence. Let us, with the passage of this
bill, begin the journey of commitment, along with our acknowledgment of
the Me Too movement that we will never be silent again.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 534, the ``Protecting Young
Victims from Sexual Abuse Act''.
This bill will help prevent the sexual abuse of minors and amateur
athletes by requiring the prompt reporting of sexual abuse to law
enforcement authorities.
This is a reasonable and important measure that is intended to
protect young athletes from abuse and preserve the sanctity of sports
associated with the U.S. Olympic Committee--the organization
responsible for preparing and training young athletes who might one day
represent our Nation competitively all over the world.
Children deserve to fully enjoy the innocence of their youth--by
exploring the curiosities of the world, taking pleasure in the arts,
and participating in sports--free from abuse.
Sexual abuse of children and youth is an abhorrent practice that is
intolerable in any context, and we must take appropriate measures to
eliminate it from youth sports.
Young people look to adults to protect them and keep them safe. We
all have a responsibility to do so. With S. 534, we have an opportunity
to ensure that individuals abide by this duty.
Certain other professionals--such as doctors, dentists, social
workers, psychologists, teachers, and daycare workers, are already
bound by law to report suspected abuse to law enforcement. S. 534 will
require the same of adults who interact with young athletes in
connection with sports activities organized by the national governing
bodies of various sports.
The urgent need for this legislation is best illustrated by the
horrible abuse and exploitation of numerous young gymnasts at the hands
of Dr. Larry Nassar, who victimized young athletes participating in USA
Gymnastics over the course of 20 years. The stories of abuse and
suffering of these young women are heartbreaking.
Many complaints of sexual and emotional abuse by Nassar and others
went unreported for years--allowing coaches, instructors, and doctors
to repeatedly victimize gymnasts as young as six years old.
The shocking failure of anyone to report accusations to law
enforcement, or even keep track of complaints internally, made it
possible for some of these predators to commit multiple, horrific acts
over time.
We entrust the care of our children and young athletes in the hands
of those we hope to uphold that trust and not abuse it.
One of the more than 150 girls and women victimized by Dr. Nassar was
recently quoted as saying, ``He has everything he needs to be an
incredible leader. He has the personality . . . the skill . . . the
knowledge. And he's using that to prey on people . . . what a waste.''
Last week, a Michigan judge sentenced Nassar to a prison sentence of
up to 175 years. The judge described Nassar's assault of scores of
girls and women, under the pretense that he was treating them, as
``precise,

[[Page H641]]

calculated, manipulative, devious and despicable.''
We must continue to do more to help protect our young athletes, and
this bill will greatly assist in that effort. However, I must note a
concern with a change the bill before us would make to the Senate-
passed version of S. 534. The bill unanimously passed by the Senate
would authorize funding to be provided to the U.S. Center for Safe
Sport in the amount of $1 million for each of the next five years.
Unfortunately, the version of the bill before us strips this funding
authorization. I believe we should have taken up the Senate bill,
without amendment. Safe Sport is charged with important
responsibilities under this bill--with respect to receiving and
investigating allegations of abuse and setting policies to prevent
future abuse. It is critical that we ensure that the Center is provided
the resources for those things to be done immediately and effectively.
By doing so, I hope we will prevent the type of abuse and suffering
perpetrated by people like Larry Nassar.
In a recent open letter from the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians
Association to athletes everywhere, they wrote: ``The goal of Olympism
is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of
humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with
the preservation of human dignity. Now we must ask how can athlete
dignity be preserved when the responsible institutions fail so in their
oversight?''
In an apology letter to Team USA from the United States Olympic
Committee issued last week, the Committee admitted that it had failed
its young athletes.
While the USA Gymnastics scandal is unfortunate, let it be an example
and incentive to prevent such abuse from happening again.
Accordingly, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this
important legislation.
The ``Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act'' is a necessary
measure to ensure young athletes in this country are able to pursue
their athletic dreams in safe environments, free of the fear of being
victimized by predators.
I thank the many organizations that have worked hard to advance this
legislation, including Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN),
the Nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization.
I'd like to enter into the record a letter from RAINN, which
indicates survivors are reaching out to its National Sexual Assault
Hotline in record numbers, at a 21 percent increase.
Each day approximately 600 individuals affected by sexual violence
are served, most of whom are children or parents seeking support.
For the foregoing reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I ask support of the legislation, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas, not only for
her support of the legislation, but also for her long-time working on
these issues of victims of crime, and her involvement in legislation in
the past and in the future on matters such as this.
This is not a happy event, Mr. Speaker. This legislation, as Mr.
Bishop said, it is unfortunate that Congress had to get involved in
this issue. Congress is going to get involved, and we are going to try
to rectify the problems of the past and hold people accountable for
crimes in the future.
We are talking about the symbol of everything that is good, and
right, and beautiful about America: these Olympics, the Olympians, and
particularly the gymnasts who represent America; the training they go
through; the zeal for which they represent our country and work. Yet,
while all of that was going on, bad things were happening to them.
Our gymnasts who just participated in the last Olympics, who won
medals, gold medals, they endured abuse, yet they went forward to
represent our country in the United States Olympics.
People who harm those girls and other athletes, male and female, they
need to be held accountable, not just Larry Nassar, but other people
need to be held accountable. This is where law enforcement needs to be
involved.
Mr. Speaker, I am a former judge, and I want to commend the judge in
this case, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, for allowing all of these victims
to testify in open court. They had the courage to come forward and tell
very difficult things, things that are difficult for us to even listen
to here on the House floor. They said it, and they wanted the criminal
to know what he had done to them impacted them.
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the judge for allowing that, but
also the sentence that she imposed. I want to read a few more of the
statements, Mr. Speaker:
Jessica Rodriguez: ``USA Gymnastics should be held accountable for
each and every one of these acts of abuse they allowed to happen.''
Taryn Look: ``I was still a child. . . . I wanted to end my life.''
Mattie Larson: ``I was at the height of my career at 19, and the
Olympics were just a year away, and I just couldn't take any more of
the abuse. I was broken. Larry, my coaches, and USA Gymnastics turned a
sport I fell in love with as a kid to my personal living hell.''
Mr. Speaker, all of these brave Americans came forward and testified
about what had happened to them. And we should--they are all Olympians
for that. They all deserve the gold medal for what they did
representing our country and their strength and their courage to
testify in open court about what happened to them.
The defendant, the convicted criminal, wrote a letter to the judge,
Mr. Speaker, saying he couldn't take all of this abuse against him for
having to listen to all of the statements by the victims. Are you
kidding me? He is not the victim. He is the criminal, and he belongs in
jail.
He belongs in jail, as these victims have said, for the rest of his
life, to keep him away from little girls. And I am glad that that is
where he is going, but he is not a victim. Because of the mental abuse
that he caused on victims of crime, he needs to remember what he has
done. And I am glad that we have finally got this legislation passed in
such a quick method. It is proof, Mr. Speaker, that we can work pretty
fast, we also can work in a bipartisan manner, and we can also work
with the Senate getting legislation that is important to America
passed.
Mr. Speaker, I want to read one last statement, and I include in the
Record the 133 written statements that I have, subject to length
limitation in the Record.

Statements by 133 people

Kyle Stephens: ``Little girls don't stay little forever,
they grow into strong women that return to destroy your
world.''
Jessica Thomashow: ``What you did to me was twisted. You
manipulated me and my family. How dare you.
Donna Markham (Speaking on behalf of her daughter, Chelsey,
who killed herself 10 years ago.): ``In 2009, she took her
own life. She couldn't deal with the pain anymore. Every day
I miss her, every day. It all started with him.''
Jade Capua: ``I am no longer broken by you. Every day I
grow a new strength and look into the mirror to see a strong,
unbreakable person. Nothing will ever take away what you've
done to me or to the others that started behind me. However,
we can walk free and radiate the strength that we've gained
from your horrific acts, something you will never be able to
do.''
Alexis Moore: ``I don't like the word victim. I am a
survivor, but more so I am me. Those 10 years are a part of
my story. They have helped define who I am today.''
Olivia Cowan: On Michigan State University and USA
Gymnastics:
``If they would have taken action when it was first
reported, they would have saved me.''
Nicole Soos: ``I thought he was a famous doctor. There was
no way he would do anything inappropriately in front of my
mom. I was wrong.''
Ashley Erickson: ``Today I can say I'm finally ready to
face you . . . Why did you do this? You were the adult, you
were the doctor.''
Rebecca Mark: ``He molested me and he molested me with my
mom in the room.''
Bethany Bauman: ``I am 100% confident, that if he had not
been caught, he would have continued to do this for the rest
of his life.''
Kate Mahon: ``By publicly speaking out against Larry
Nassar, I'm not just speaking out for myself. I'm speaking
out for all the girls and women of the past, present, and
future that have been or will be affected by sexual
assault.''
Danielle Moore; ``I hope being reduced to a (prison) number
will define you as it defined me for so many years. I will no
longer be known as a number, and I will be Dr. Danielle
Moore.''
Melissa Imrie: ``Everybody's story that I listened to today
is just an echo of everything that I've went through. They're
just speaking like it's my voice.''
Megan Halicek: ``As I stand here, I still flash back to the
feelings of fear, laying frozen in his office, my sweating
shaking body, adrenaline pumping, painfully clutching the
sides of the table, waiting for the sick treatment to be
over.''
Jamie Dantzscher: ``There is no therapy, no cure for
monsters like you. You are pure evil.''

[[Page H642]]

Brianne Randall: ``I was a 17-year-old that reported your
abuse to police in 2004. You used my vulnerability at the
time to sexually abuse me. I reported you to police
immediately and had a rape kit done . . . you had the
audacity to tell [police] I misunderstood the treatment
because I wasn't comfortable with my body. How dare you?
Sadly they took your word instead of mine.''
Anna Ludes (video statement): ``I felt so special and lucky
that Larry Nassar would take the time to help me. But it
turned out that he was a molester.''
Lindsey Schuett (video statement): ``If anyone deserves to
never see the light of day again it is this man.''
Marion Siebert: ``You hindered the trajectories of our
lives that we and our parents worked so very hard for, and
changed the rest of our lives in ways that we're still
realizing and dealing with every day. This is what makes this
crime so heinous.''
Katelyn Skrabis (statement read on her behalf): ``Nothing
can change what Larry Nassar did to me.''
Taylor Stevens (statement read on her behalf): ``Because of
you my life has been forever changed. I have to live with the
fact that I am a victim of sexual assault.''
Breanne Rata (statement read on her behalf): ``My only
relief is knowing my picture is no longer on the wall of your
Michigan State office.''
Erin McCann: ``I was told over and over again how honored I
should feel for seeing Dr. Nassar . . . It was no honor. It
was disgust. It took more than it should have from me.''
Jennifer Rood-Bedford: ``The road to healing looks steep
from where I am standing now, but I am a warrior.''
Gina Nichols (on behalf of her daughter, Olympic hopeful
Maggie Nichols): ``You are not a real doctor. You are a
serial child molester, a pedophile.''
Tiffany Lopez Thomas: ``I imagine hitting you if I ever had
the opportunity to see you again. Instead I will allow my
thoughts and my feelings to hit your heart.''
Jeanette Antolin: ``You made me believe you were my friend.
I truly believe you are the spawn of Satan. There's no
therapy that will fix the evil that's deep inside you.''
Kayla Spicher: ``I was sexually assaulted, but I was
unaware, not because I was naive, but because I was a
child.''
Gwen Anderson: ``I still remember him saying, ``It's OK. I
know you're not used to being touched there, but it will feel
better.''
Thomas Brennan (Gwen's coach): ``For the record, go to hell
. . . What you did to everyone else who trusted you and sent
girls your way is disgusting, reprehensible, unforgivable.''
Amanda Thomashow; ``Larry, the thing you didn't realize
when you were sexually assaulting me . . . was that you were
building an army of survivors who would ultimately expose you
for who you are. From this rubble we will rise as an army of
female warriors.''
Jaime Doski: ``I want to show my family how strong I am and
that I'm a survivor.''
Jenelle Moul: ``I hope you are never able to walk outside
those [prison] walls as a free man. Most importantly I hope
all of the survivors you hurt are able to heal from the
damage you have done.''
Madeline Jones: ``Before every appointment, I cried in the
bathroom. After every appointment, I couldn't wait to get
home and shower.''
Amanda Barterian: ``I refuse to let Larry Nassar take
anything more from here. He's already taken enough.''
Jennifer Hayes: ``You parted my legs and forcefully pushed
your dry fingers in my vagina . . . You had created a secure
world where you brainwashed everyone around you.''
Nicole Walker: ``I have anxiety and sleep disorders all
because of what you did to me.''
Chelsea Williams: ``He manipulated me with such ease, with
such finesse. This is perhaps what scares me the most about
him.''
Stephanie Robinson: ``While I came to this stand as a
victim, I leave as victor.''
Carrie Hogan: ``I am broken, I'm tired, I feel like life
has been desperately sucked out of me.''
Helena Weick: ``This is not my shame anymore. It's yours.''
Amanda Cormier: ``These things happened to me in his office
long ago were not short lived and uncomfortable moments. They
were lifelong traumas that changed the way I walk in the
world.''
McKayla Maroney (statement read on her behalf): ``He abused
my trust. He abused my body and he left scars on my psyche
that will never go away. It all started when I was 13 or 14
years old. It didn't end until I left the sport.''
Annette Hill: ``As your former patient, I trusted you,
Larry. You sexually abused me.''
Aly Raisman: ``I will not rest until every last trace of
your influence on this sport has been destroyed like the
cancer it is.''
Lyndsy Carr Gamet: ``I was a carefree silly little girl
until this happened and afterwards there was a cloud and the
cloud has followed me into every relationship in my life,
especially the most important ones.''
Taylor Cole: ``This man has broken my world.''
Jessica Smith: ``I'm mortified that I didn't understand
exactly what that meant at that time.''
Arianna Guerrero: ``I am only 16. I should not even know
what an impact statement is. I shouldn't know what the inside
of a courtroom looks like. You have a hard time looking at me
now. But you didn't seem to have a problem when I was half
naked on your table.''
Nicole Reeb: ``[Michigan State University's] response has
compounded my pain. I am frustrated and outraged at the
administration's inability to take responsibility for handing
over children and girls to a predator for almost 20 years. I
no longer bleed green.''
Christine Harrison: ``You knew what you were doing was
wrong and you only asked for forgiveness because you got
caught.''
Jessica Tarrant (recorded video): ``I wasn't even alive yet
the first time he sexually assaulted someone and I was only
one when he was first reported.''
Brian Tarrant (Jessica's father): ``I just want to say,
Larry, you did nothing to defeat her.''
Mary Fisher-Follmer (on behalf of her two daughters,
Katherine Payne and Maureen Payne): ``As you deteriorate in
prison, I want you to remember you lost.''
Katie Rasmussen: ``No one did anything because no one
believed me. They didn't understand how such a respectable
doctor would do something like that. And I don't understand
how a 14-year-old could make that up.''
Madeline Johnson: ``I realized the only way I could get him
to stop was if I lied and told him pain was all gone.''
Chelsea Zerfas: ``I avoided going to practice when I knew I
had to see him . . . I felt like I couldn't breathe and I'd
tremble in fear.''
Samantha Ursch: ``I'm not pretending it didn't happen
anymore. I'm just moving past it.''
Kara Johnson: ``The framed photos of patients on his wall
told an incredible story of a doctor who could heal anyone.''
Clasina Syrovy: ``When girls came forward and told an adult
the adults didn't listen. Why didn't they listen? What good
is it to teach children to tell an adult if the grown-up
doesn't listen, doesn't take action?''
Brad Johnson (Kara and Madeline's father): ``Your story is
dark, sinister, and pure evil.''
William Michell (Larissa's father): ``You sowed a
destructive black seed in my daughter's innocent mind and
body.''
Amy Labadie: ``Come hell or high water we'll take every
last one of you down that could have stopped this monster.''
Ashley Yost: ``That's something a 25-year-old shouldn't
have to do . . . sleep in their parents' bed because they're
afraid of a monster.''
Marie Anderson: ``While his fingers were inside of me, he
would apply pressure to the outside of my lower abdomen and
massage the inside of my vaginal area.''
Kassie Powell: ``You hid for years behind Olympic rings and
a Spartan [Michigan State University's mascot] head, but now
there is nowhere left for you to hide.''
Doug Powell (Kassie's father): ``I want you to fear and
cry, and no one to listen. I want you to remain alive for
your eternal life in those [prison] walls.''
Megan Ginter: ``I am done being ashamed of something that
was out of my control.''
Katherine Gordon: ``Sexual assault is distant until you
realize each girl in the news is a broken mirror.''
Katelynne Hall: ``What if someone would have taken the
abuse seriously?''
Anya Gillengarten: ``I thought the things that Larry Nassar
did to me would send me to Hell.''
Amanda McGeachie: ``MSU has failed to represent us; failed
to respect us; failed to take accountability for our safety.
After being a proud Spartum alum . . . I now feel ashamed to
have represented a school who will not take accountability.''
Lindsay Woolever: ``You were in the best position to help
people but you chose to do the opposite.''
Hannah Morrow: ``Life's handed me lemons, and you'd best
believe that I am well prepared to make lemonade.''
Jordyn Wieber: ``Even though I am a victim, I won't live my
life as one. I am an Olympian.
Alexis Alvarado: ``I was only a child when this abuse
started. I didn't know what he was doing was wrong.''
Morgan McCaul: ``You violated the very principle of your
calling: Do no harm.''
Trinea Gonczar: ``It's time for me to stand up for these
little girls and not stand behind you anymore. Goodbye,
Larry. May god bless your dark broken soul.''
Larissa Michell Boyce: ``Today is a new day. Today I am
claiming my freedom from you. Today I am breaking free from
the chains you put me in 20 years ago. Today I am finally
free. I am standing here reclaiming the voice that you stole
from me. I am reclaiming my confidence. I am reclaiming the
power you took from me. I am reclaiming Larissa Michell, that
innocent girl you abused. I am no longer that little girl. I
am taking her back, I have the control now.''
Bayle Pickel: ``How could you do something so horrible to
an innocent young girl?''
Adam Boyce (Larissa's husband): ``It was and still is very
real for us.''
Bailey Lorencen: ``While my mind heals and filters out the
evil sickness that you unwillingly bestowed upon my body your
mind will get darker and darker and you will hate yourself
almost as much as everyone hates you in this room right
now.''
Valerie Webb: ``To all my sisters, we need to stand, fight
back and not rest until this mess is up mopped up; each and
every crumb.''
Whitney Mergens: ``All I want is for this darkness to go
away. I don't want to look in

[[Page H643]]

the mirror and have to convince myself that I'm okay. I want
to stand there and see a strong woman other than a damaged
one. Standing here today I know the light is near.''
Marta Stern: ``I will no longer carry the weight of what
you did to me so long ago. The burden is yours.''
Melody Posthuma-Vanderveen: ``We need to call out the
deeper issue at hand. We live in a society where action is
not taken when it's most needed.''
Emma Ann Miller: ``[Michigan State University] is still
sending bills to my mom for appointments where I was sexually
assaulted.''
Amanda Smith: ``I will not stop speaking until I am heard,
until we are heard, until things are changed.''
Taylor Livingston: ``Everyone who continued to allow this
man, knowing full well what he was doing, is to blame.''
Lindsey Lemke: ``Larry, I hope you . . . and all others
realize you've pissed off the wrong army of women.''
Christy Lemke-Akeo (mother of gymnast Lindsey Lemke):
``These girls had no idea this wasn't a medical procedure.''
Krista Wakeman: ``You're a sick man, Larry. I hope you rot
in prison because that's where you belong.''
Paula Daniels (on behalf of daughter Samantha Daniels):
``When you lay down to sleep at night I want you to see every
little girl's face that you've abused. Hundreds of girls
Larry, innocent girls who trusted you--and know these little
girls are all grown-up now and I pray that they haunt you
every single day.''
Alliree Gingerich (statement read on her behalf): ``Not one
day goes by where I don't replay the abuse my head.''

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, here is what Natalie Woodland said:
``I am strong, and I am beautiful, and I am bold, and no one,
especially you''--Nassar--``can take that away from me. . . . While
standing up here, I'm finally realizing that I'm not alone.''
And she is not alone. We are on her side. We should be on the side of
victims of crime, and this legislation will promote a better
atmosphere: a lawful, good atmosphere for our gymnasts and other
athletes to work in. The people who committed these crimes need to be
held accountable, and society has started with the first culprit, Larry
``Lecherous'' Nassar, and there should be more to follow.
And that is just the way it is, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance
of my time.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following
statements from the Nassar trial:

Megan Farnsworth (statement read on her behalf): ``He took
away something I can't get back. He took it 18 years ago when
he did his procedures, and again when I was adult and learned
what he had been doing.''
Kourtney Weidner (statement read on her behalf): ``Through
these years I've experienced increase in anxiety and
stress.''
Charla Burill (statement read on her behalf): ``You were
the doctor who would give me a hug, who seemed to
understand.''
Lauren Michalak (statement read on her behalf): ``It makes
me feel disgusted that a man that was so respected in the
community could take advantage of a girl who was only in 8th
grade.''
Sherry Bradley (mother of Vanasia Bradley): ``I am sick to
my stomach with disgust and betrayal.''
Presley Allison: ``I was abused while my own mother was in
the room.''
Kamerin Moore: ``You molested a little girl who had just
lost her father . . . you used my father's death as another
opportunity to manipulate the trust I put in you.''
Catherine Hannum: ``What he did to me . . . is disgusting,
vile, and wrong. I am going to find my sense of self again
and it starts with this letter.''
Jessica Chedler Rodriguez: ``USA Gymnastics should be held
accountable for each and every one of these acts of abuse
they allowed to happen.''
Taryn Look: ``I was still a child . . . . I wanted to end
my life.''
Mattie Larson: ``I was at the height of my career at 19 and
the Olympics were just a year away and I just couldn't take
any more of the abuse. I was broken. Larry, my coaches, and
USA Gymnastics turned the sport I fell in love with as a kid
to my personal living hell.''
Whitney Burns: ``As this man's hands were touching places I
had never let any man touch, I told myself I could make it
one more second without the anger exploding inside me. `One
more second, Whitney, you can make it one more second.' ''
Isabell Hutchins (statement read on her behalf): ``I
couldn't accept the fact that it happened to me and I was in
denial for a long time.''
Natalie Woodland: ``I am strong, and I am beautiful, and I
am bold, and no one, especially not you can take that away
from me . . . While standing up here I'm finally realizing
that I'm not alone.''
Jillian Swinehart: ``You have to be the most sick and
twisted person ever to do that to young girls.''
Anne Swinehart (Jillian's mother): ``To think, I let this
happen to my child while I was sitting right there.''
Alison Chauvette: ``He was in no way treating my body. He
was, however using his position, manipulating me as a person
changing the person I was, preying on me, a young girl, to
fulfil his sick fantasies.''
Anna Dayton: ``You were supposed to be the good guy.
Instead you used your power and your authority to take
advantage of me, to take away my trust, and strip me of my
innocence.''
Olivia Venuto (statement read on her behalf): ``I know that
we will overcome this.''
Sarah (no last name provided): ``By coming forward, we
victims of Larry Nassar can help see that justice is
served.''
Kristen Thelen: ``In that moment of terror and confusion, I
completely froze.''
Alexandra Romano (statement read by her sister Danielle
Romano): ``The pain is just beginning for you. You disgust me
and everyone else in this world and like many other girls
said, today is the last day you are anything to me. You are a
sad excuse for a human being and from now on you're dead to
us.''
Jessica Howard (statement read on her behalf): ``My mother
blames herself.''
Arianna Castillo: ``He told me I had to go through pain in
order to be successful in the sport.''
Selena Brennan: ``Today is your time to face me. I want you
to continue to look at me while I speak because that is the
attention I deserve . . . I want you to know you have not
defeated me.''
Kaylee McDowell: ``My body is scarred by you . . . You
covered me with your illness and I will be contaminated by
you for the rest of my life.''
Emily Morales: ``He would rub one hand up and down my leg
and butt as the other ungloved hand penetrated me . . . He
talked about how my muscles were so tight.''
Abigail Mealy: ``The final level of your horrible pyramid
of lies is when I had to lie on a table in your basement next
to your lit fireplace and your children's toys surrounding me
while you 'treated' me for my back problems.''
Ashley Bremer: ``He was only acting as my friend to gain my
trust.''
Brooke Hylek: ``All I ever wanted to do was feel better and
go back to the sport I loved without any pain.''
Abigayle Bergeron: ``I was a victim of Larry Nassar but I
will not let that define me.''
Emily Meinke: ``My initial gut reaction was to question the
technique . . . I couldn't help but wonder how inserting his
bare fingers in my vagina was supposed to make my pain
disappear. Since I hadn't even had my period yet I assumed it
was my vagina but I really didn't know for sure.''
Morgan Valley (statement read by her mother, Dawn Valley):
``This so-called doctor took advantage of my pain and my
innocence.''
Marty Valley (father of Morgan Valley): ``We're overcome by
anger and guilt for not protecting our beautiful, precious
daughter. As difficult as it is for us as parents, we know
it's nothing compared to what these young women are going
through.''
Christina Barba: ``We know that a single candle can light a
dark room. Imagine what all these flames can do. We will not
live in darkness. We will burn brightly. To all the abuses
and predators and harassers and enablers, we will burn your
pedestals and hiding places to the ground. All your darkest
secrets will be brought to light. We are strong and will not
let you snuff out our light. We will burn brightly and not
with hate but with hope.''
Makayla Thrush: ``Nobody should ever have to question their
doctor, especially one who was the doctor for the US Olympic
team.''
Sterling Riethman: ``Larry did not violate Jane Doe. He did
not sexually assault Jane Doe . . . he violated real girls
and real women. Well, those little girls are here today and
we said it before and we'll say it again, time's up. The
truth will come out.''
Kaylee Lorincz: ``You made a critical mistake. You
underestimated the mind, power, and will of your victims,
these accomplished athletes.''
Rachael Denhollander (Her testimony to the IndyStar began
the legal case): ``I can call what you did evil and wicked
because it was . . . I can call it evil because I know what
goodness is. And this is why I pity you.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) that the House suspend the rules and
pass S. 534, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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