[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16932]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       H.R. 1248, THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SUE W. KELLY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Department of Justice estimates 
that between 1 million and 4 million women are physically abused by 
their husbands or live-in partners each year.
  Justice also reports that females account for 39 percent of the 
hospital emergency department visits for violence-related injuries.
  According to another poll, up to 40 percent of teenage girls age 14 
to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a 
boyfriend.
  Family violence costs the nation upwards of $10 billion annually in 
medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters and foster care, 
sick leave, absenteeism, and non-productivity.
  Mr. Speaker, I have only touched on the tip of the iceberg. Unlike 
many people, we are in a position to help turn these statistics around.
  We can begin by passing H.R. 1248, the Violence Against Women 
Reauthorization Act and help the thousands of men and the millions of 
women who face abuse in their own homes feel a little safer in knowing 
that we are here and we are listening and will once again fulfill/our 
promise and help them escape from abuse and end the cycle of violence.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation, not only for the men and women being abused today but for 
our children who may be the victims of tomorrow.

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