[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 76 (Thursday, May 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  NATIONAL DAY OF AWARENESS FOR MISSING AND MURDERED NATIVE WOMEN AND 
                                 GIRLS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2018

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize May 5, 2018 as the 
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and 
Girls.
   Native women in the U.S. face tragically high rates of violence, 
sexual assault, and murder. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, homicide is the third leading cause of death 
for Native women and girls between the ages of 10 and 24 years old. A 
study commissioned by the Department of Justice found that, in some 
tribal communities, Native women face murder rates that are more than 
ten times the national average. This is unacceptable.
   I'm pleased that the Portland City Council recently passed a 
resolution recognizing the disproportionate effects of human 
trafficking on people of color in our region, but we must do more to 
protect Native women. Importantly, we must recognize the institutional 
racism and systematic inequalities they face, and we must seek justice 
on behalf of those who are missing or murdered.
   For those families who have not received justice, I stand with you. 
I'm committed to taking action to prevent these crimes in the future, 
and hope that your missing loved one will return home soon.

                          ____________________