[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    JESSICA JOHNSON--ED STOUT MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING VICTIM 
                           ADVOCACY RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 12, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Safety, Advocacy, Growth, and 
Empowerment (SAGE) program in Wenatchee Valley, Washington works to aid 
individuals who have experienced domestic abuse.
  For the past 12 years, Jessica Johnson has gone above and beyond, 
serving SAGE to the best of her ability. Her hard work and dedication 
paid off. In 2016, Jessica was promoted to Executive Director, 
propelling Jessica to even greater heights. Her work with SAGE has 
helped to provide a safe-haven for those who faced sexual abuse, 
domestic violence, stalking, poverty, and sex trafficking in Central 
Washington.
  During her time at SAGE, Jessica has overseen the creation of a 24-
hour crisis line, a Crime Victim Service Center, and a Domestic 
Violence advocacy program. Each of these programs has been instrumental 
in providing aid to crime victims.
  Jessica has not only focused her efforts on the larger central 
communities, but has implemented outreach to rural areas as well. This 
outreach has expanded opportunities for those who need assistance the 
most and helped victims reach the resources they desperately need. 
Jessica has also established group counseling programs in high schools 
and worked with schools to ensure faculty and staff are given adequate 
training on spotting the signs of domestic abuse.
  Perhaps some of the most important services SAGE and Jessica have 
provided is through the Child Advocacy Center. In the Child Advocacy 
Center, law enforcement agents conduct forensic interviews with 
children who have been victims of sexual and domestic abuse. This 
service has been an invaluable resource and helped create a safe 
environment to interview and assist vulnerable children.
  Each year the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus honors outstanding 
individuals and organizations for their tireless efforts supporting and 
empowering survivors of crime. Co-chaired and co-founded by Jim Costa 
(D-CA) and myself, the bipartisan caucus advocates for crime victims 
and protects programs that provide critical support for related 
services.
  I am proud to announce Jessica Johnson as the recipient of the 
Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus Ed Stout Memorial Award for 
Outstanding Victim Advocacy. The Stout Memorial Award is in memory of 
Ed Stout, the Director of Aid for Victims of Crime in St. Louis. The 
Honoree is a professional or volunteer whose efforts have directly 
benefited victims and survivors of crime.
  I am honored to recognize Jessica and her relentless fight in 
advocating for crime victims. With the help of Jessica and SAGE, 
victims from all over Washington have access to resources needed to 
help rebuild their lives.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________