[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14405-14406]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     STALKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  Mr. REID. Madam President, before the Senator from Minnesota leaves 
the floor, I wish to say I was not able to hear all of his statement 
but most of it. He mentioned what we need around here is political 
courage. That is something that is not lacking in the service of the 
Senator from Minnesota.
  I appreciate his legislation regarding stalking and domestic 
violence. Stalking is a very evil thing, for lack of a better way to 
put it. I can't imagine how difficult it is for people who are stalked.
  Senator Ensign and I had the misfortune of having somebody who was 
stalking us. It was very serious. He felt he had been aggrieved in 
Mexico and that we should do something about it. Of course, there was 
nothing we could do about it. It became a very big burden on my staff. 
He wouldn't leave my office. Finally, in an effort to get attention, 
rather than shoot one of my staff members or me, he shot himself in 
front of my office. He survived the gunshot wound and proceeded to 
continue to harass us. He was convicted and sent to prison. I only say 
that because if people of our stature and in the public awareness have 
difficulties, I can't imagine people who don't have the U.S. marshals 
and other people protecting them. So we need to do more. It is a very 
insidious thing. We need to do a better job of training law 
enforcement, although they are trained much better than they were 
regarding domestic violence. We need to have judges who better 
understand domestic violence.
  I am anxious to look at the Senator's legislation. It sounds as if it 
is heading toward the correct destination. We need to focus more 
attention on this national problem.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Madam President, I thank my colleague from Nevada and 
tell him that, as we move forward, we will talk about some companies 
that have put together model programs. Again, unfortunately, what a 
bitter irony that for too many of these women--part of what this is all 
about is control. They have had the courage to move out of the home 
because the home is very dangerous for them and very dangerous for 
their children. Still, about every 15 seconds a woman is battered in 
the United States. Maybe this guy will come to work--and basically he 
doesn't want her to be working, so that is part of her independence. He 
will stalk her and make threats. Then all too often the employer will 
basically let her go, saying it is too much trouble. Then where is she? 
Quite often, she is forced back into a horrible situation. In about 50 
percent of the cases, it happens where the guy or woman comes to work 
and the threats are made.
  We are saying there has to be a way we can provide additional help 
and support. So we do a number of different things for those who have 
been victims of violence in homes, sexual assault, and stalking. A 
number of things are in this legislation. I think it would make a huge 
difference. I thank my colleague for his comments.
  Mr. REID. I will say one more thing to the Senator. There are more 
animal shelters than there are domestic crisis shelters in America. In 
Nevada, a rapidly growing community, we are so understaffed. We have a 
lack of facilities. These brave women are willing to break away from 
this domestic violence, and we are having trouble finding a place for 
them to go. It is a really difficult situation, not only in Nevada but 
all over the country. It is a national problem. We have helped with 
some national moneys but not nearly enough.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. I thank my colleague.
  In addition, even if women have been in shelters, there is no 
affordable housing.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

[[Page 14406]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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