[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF THE GRAND OPENING OF LONOKE COUNTY SAFE HAVEN, INC.

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                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to celebrate the grand 
opening of Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc., an organization that 
provides critical resources to victims of domestic violence. This 
center will give women and their children a place to turn during 
difficult times and is a valuable addition to our community.
  Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc. was founded in March 2005 after J.M. 
Park read an article about a domestic violence victim. The article 
inspired Park and others to create a program where domestic violence 
victims can access vital recovery services. The organization began to 
help victims in September 2005, providing services such as a helpline, 
court advocacy, information on county, state, and federal resources, 
and recommendations for local shelters.
  Today's grand opening is a significant step for Lonoke County Safe 
Haven, Inc. and a great milestone for our community. The new center, 
directed by Teresa Sims, will give battered women and their children 
throughout Lonoke County a place to seek assistance from dangerous 
living conditions. The center will provide services from 9 a.m. to 5 
p.m., with hopes of one day expanding into a shelter of its own. The 
organization is already recognized by the Arkansas Coalition Against 
Domestic Violence for its work to strengthen the support system for 
battered women and their children.
  On April 17, 2006, our community will gather to celebrate the grand 
opening of the Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in expressing our appreciation for this center and for all of 
the individuals committed to making Lonoke County a safer place for 
women and children.

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