[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Pages 18508-18509]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, today marks the 10th anniversary of the 
Violence Against Women Act. We are also coming up on the 2nd 
anniversary of the loss of two champions of the fight to end domestic 
violence.
  Senator Paul Wellstone was a key leader in the bipartisan effort to 
pass the Violence Against Women Act. And, as she was in every great 
cause he took on, Sheila Wellstone was Paul's indispensable partner. 
Paul and Sheila's commitment to ending domestic violence continues 
today through the work of Wellstone Action and the Sheila Wellstone 
Institute. This morning, Paul and Sheila's work was recalled at a 
gathering here in the Capitol of people who are working to protect 
America's families from domestic violence. We applaud them.
  Much good has come about because of the Violence Against Women Act. 
There are more domestic abuse hotlines today than there were 10 years 
ago, and more shelters. There are more doctors, nurses, therapists, 
teachers, police officers, judges and others today who recognize the 
signs of domestic violence, and know how to help if they see those 
signs. We have made progress. But there is more we need to do.
  Each year, more than 1 million women in America are victims of 
domestic violence, and more than 3 million American children witness 
domestic violence every year. Protecting the victims of domestic 
violence is essential but it is not enough. Next year, when Congress 
reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act, we need to do more to 
prevent domestic violence, and to help the children who witness such 
violence. It's the only way we will ever break the cycle of violence.
  In South Dakota, in Rapid City and on the Pine Ridge Reservation, a 
nonprofit organization called Sacred Circle is helping to break the 
cycle of violence by providing domestic violence prevention and 
intervention services. There are similar organizations doing good work 
in communities all across America--native and non-native, rich and 
poor.

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  On this 10th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, we thank 
those organizations for the life-saving work they are doing. We 
acknowledge the victims and survivors of domestic violence. And let us 
also vow to do even more to finally break the cycle of domestic 
violence.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts is recognized.

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