[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REAUTHORIZATION OF VAWA

  (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, my legislation, 
which will be on this House floor tomorrow.
  Madam Speaker, for years, VAWA has been instrumental in safeguarding 
women and children from abuse, anguish, and violence, and has resulted 
in the saving of millions of lives.
  Madam Speaker, in my own district in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, A 
Woman's Place has served as a lifesaving resource for over 40 years; 
and NOVA, the Network of Victim Assistance, has helped over 3,600 
victims--neither of which would be able to do their work without the 
help of VAWA and the reauthorization.
  Madam Speaker, in August of 2018, 7-year-old Kayden Mancuso of Bucks 
County was murdered by her father after being awarded partial, 
unsupervised custody, despite a documented history of violence. She was 
a beautiful young girl whose life was taken from us.
  Kayden's Law is included in this bill and takes steps to improve our 
response to the failures of State courts to protect children in custody 
proceedings.
  Madam Speaker, VAWA is lifesaving legislation, and I implore my 
colleagues and all of my friends who we have built relationships with 
on both sides of the aisle to join me tomorrow in supporting this 
legislation.

                          ____________________