[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 184 (Wednesday, October 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H5681-H5682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HIGHLIGHTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Tony Gonzales) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TONY GONZALES of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight 
October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
  There is a lot going on in the world right now, and it is very easy 
to forget that we have millions of Americans who are living in a very 
abusive environment.
  Many people walk around with scars that everyone can see. But also, 
many of us walk around with scars that nobody can see. In particular, I 
would like to highlight the women who are in this very difficult 
situation.
  When I was 5 years old, I recall when my mother woke me up in the 
middle of the night to sneak us out of our very abusive home, and I 
remember spending time in a battered women's shelter. That moment will 
never leave me.
  Looking back at it now, my mother was the bravest woman that I knew 
then and the bravest woman that I know now.

[[Page H5682]]

  And it doesn't have to be this way. People don't have to be in an 
environment that is constantly under abuse. You can leave, whether that 
is today, whether that is tomorrow, whether that is decades from now.
  Today, I am very proud. Years ago, my mother left that abusive 
environment. Just last year, she was able to get her bachelor's degree 
from the University of Texas at El Paso, UTEP. It was amazing for her 
to go back and get her education.
  Today, she lives with me. She, along with my wife, Angel, helps raise 
our children. And today, she is in an environment where she is loved.
  This month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we can't lose sight of 
that. If you are in a violent situation, you, too, can get out. You, 
too, can change the direction of your life, and your children can go 
off and be very successful because we live in the greatest country on 
Earth. Whether it is today, tomorrow, or a decade from now, please 
leave your abusive environment and get back to a place of happiness and 
love.

                          ____________________