[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 21513-21518]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 738) recognizing the 15th anniversary 
of the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 738

       Whereas in recognition of the severity of the crimes 
     associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, and 
     stalking, on September 13, 1994, President Bill Clinton 
     signed

[[Page 21514]]

     the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (hereinafter referred 
     to as ``VAWA'') as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law 
     Enforcement Act of 1994;
       Whereas subsequent reauthorizations of VAWA include the 
     Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (hereinafter referred to 
     as ``VAWA 2000''), signed by President Bill Clinton, and the 
     Violence Against Women Act and Department of Justice 
     Reauthorization Act of 2005 (hereinafter referred to as 
     ``VAWA 2005''), signed by President George W. Bush;
       Whereas VAWA was the first comprehensive legislative 
     package designed to end violence against women;
       Whereas the protections and provisions afforded by VAWA 
     were subsequently expanded and improved by VAWA 2000, which 
     created a legal assistance program for victims and expanded 
     the definition of domestic violence crimes to include dating 
     violence and stalking;
       Whereas VAWA and interventions funded by that Act have 
     reduced the incidence of domestic violence, have lowered 
     sexual assault rates, and have averted societal costs by 
     reducing the need for emergency and medical responses;
       Whereas VAWA has succeeded in bringing communities together 
     to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
     assault, and stalking, including combined efforts by law 
     enforcement, prosecutors, courts, victim services, and 
     community-based programs to develop long-term plans for 
     addressing such crimes locally and statewide;
       Whereas VAWA has provided crucial Federal support to Indian 
     tribes to combat the problems of sexual and domestic violence 
     in Indian country;
       Whereas VAWA brings innovative practices to the field by 
     funding demonstration projects and training, and supporting 
     the development of specialized courts and police teams;
       Whereas the Sexual Assault Services program, authorized by 
     VAWA 2005, enabled the 1,300 rape crisis centers in the 
     United States to reduce waiting lists, reach out to 
     underserved communities, and provide more comprehensive 
     services to survivors of sexual assault;
       Whereas VAWA provides a means for many victims of domestic 
     violence who were dependent on their batterers for 
     immigration status to self-petition and obtain legal 
     immigration status on their own, and to access legal services 
     to flee violence and recover from trauma;
       Whereas organizations throughout the United States have 
     received grants under VAWA to provide legal assistance to 
     young victims of dating violence;
       Whereas VAWA has provided crucial Federal support for 
     efforts by criminal justice officials and victim service 
     providers to hold offenders accountable and to keep stalking 
     victims safe;
       Whereas the continued support of VAWA and subsequent Acts 
     combating violence against women is essential to best serve 
     the 3,400,000 individuals in the United States who are 
     stalked each year; and
       Whereas September 13, 2009, marked the 15th anniversary of 
     the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the 
     Violence Against Women Act of 1994;
       (2) continues to support the goals and ideals of the 
     Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and its subsequent 
     reauthorization Acts; and
       (3) recognizes the need to continue vigorous enforcement of 
     the provisions of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and 
     similar Acts and programs to deter and prosecute crimes of 
     violence against women.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) and the gentlewoman from Tennessee 
(Mrs. Blackburn) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1515

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 738 recognizes the 15th anniversary of 
the passage of the Violence Against Women Act.
  Signed into law on September 13, 1994, by President Bill Clinton, the 
Violence Against Women Act, also known as VAWA, recognizes the severity 
of crimes associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, and 
stalking.
  This historic legislation was the first comprehensive policy package 
designed to dramatically reduce violence against women. Its protections 
and provisions were subsequently expanded and improved in the Violence 
Against Women Acts of 2000 and 2005.
  When VAWA was reauthorized in 2000, it improved the foundation 
established in VAWA 1994 by creating a legal assistance program for 
victims and by expanding the definition of domestic violence crimes to 
include dating violence and stalking. I could not be more proud of 
these accomplishments, and I am honored to be here today to help 
recognize this significant program's 15th year of success.
  VAWA-funded interventions have lowered both domestic violence and 
sexual assault rates. Not unimportantly, since the 1994 passage of VAWA 
it is estimated that more than $14 billion in societal costs have been 
averted by reducing the need for emergency and medical responses.
  This important legislation has also succeeded in bringing communities 
together to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, 
and stalking. Currently, law enforcement, prosecution, the courts, 
victim services, and community-based programs work together on the 
grassroots and State-wide levels to develop long-term plans for 
addressing the four categories of crime.
  VAWA funding of demonstration projects, trainings, and development of 
specialized courts and police teams has led to the creation of new 
techniques to successfully prevent violence against women. For example, 
the Sexual Assault Services program created in VAWA 2005 enabled our 
Nation's 1,300 rape crisis centers to reduce waiting lists, reach out 
to underserved communities and provide more comprehensive services to 
survivors of sexual assault. But that's not all this monumental 
legislation has done to help eradicate violence against women. In 
addition, VAWA 2000 created T and U visas to allow victims of human and 
sexual trafficking and violent crimes such as sexual assault to come 
forward and seek law enforcement assistance without the fear of 
deportation.
  Over 1,300 victims of human trafficking have received T visas. The 
National Center for Victims of Crime has also witnessed dramatic 
improvement during the past 15 years in the way our Nation responds to 
stalking cases. This progress, too, is attributed to the Violence 
Against Women Act.
  Undoubtedly, VAWA has provided crucial Federal support for criminal 
justice officials and victim service providers who work so hard each 
day to hold offenders accountable and keep stalking victims safe.
  The holistic approach to addressing violence against women that VAWA 
promotes is inextricably linked to the improved safety and security of 
victims of domestic and sexual violence and their families. For these 
reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of this House resolution, which, as the 
gentlelady from Florida said, recognizes the 15th anniversary of the 
enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, or VAWA.
  One out of every three people in the United States has been a victim 
of domestic violence, and that is according to Department of Justice 
statistics. Legislation proposing a Federal response to this violence 
against women was first introduced in 1990, although such violence was 
identified as a serious problem as early as the 1970s. So in 1994, 
Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act to protect women against 
violent crime, including domestic abuse. The act created grant programs 
to be administered by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human 
Services.
  Funding under the bill recognized enforcement as well as educational 
and

[[Page 21515]]

social programs to combat violent crime targeted against women. VAWA 
grants provide funding for the investigation and the prosecution of 
violent crimes perpetrated against women and support increased pretrial 
detention of defendants. VAWA also imposes automatic and mandatory 
restitution on those convicted.
  In 2000, Congress reauthorized many VAWA programs, set new funding 
levels, and created new grant programs to address sexual assaults on 
campuses and assist victims of domestic abuse. These programs continue 
the essential work begun by the earlier act and add important services 
for immigrant, rural, disabled and older women.
  The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2000 also created new stalking 
offenses by creating penalties for a person who travels in interstate 
or foreign commerce with the intent to kill, injure, harass or 
intimidate a spouse or intimate partner.
  VAWA was reauthorized for an additional 5 years when President Bush 
signed the act in 2005. The legislation expanded VAWA to include 
initiatives to help children who have been exposed to violence and to 
train health care providers to support victims of abuse.
  The 2005 reauthorization also provided funding for crisis services 
for victims of rape and sexual assault. The act also improved support 
services, such as transitional housing, to women and children who have 
been forced to leave their homes because of this violence.
  As the resolution notes, over the last 15 years VAWA has provided 
Federal support for efforts by law enforcement officials and victim 
service providers to hold offenders accountable and to keep those 
victims safe.
  I join my colleagues in recognizing the 15th anniversary of the 
enactment of VAWA and urge continued support of the goals and the 
ideals of the Violence Against Women Act.
  Mr. Speaker, in yielding back the balance of my time, I would thank 
so many of the volunteers in our communities who have been instrumental 
in working with many of us in starting rape and sexual abuse centers 
and supporting those victims, especially the children that we've been 
able to reach out and provide additional help and support for over the 
last few years. I know many of my colleagues have served in local and 
State legislative bodies, and we have had this as a very important 
focus of much of our work to make certain that women and children were 
protected from this strike of violence, and so I commend all of them.
  I thank the gentlelady from Florida.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to concur and 
associate myself with the remarks of the gentlelady from Tennessee as 
we celebrate 15 years since the first passage of the Violence Against 
Women Act.
  I remember back in my early days in the Florida Legislature when we 
were struggling--and I'm sure that you went through the same thing in 
Tennessee--just to get domestic violence recognized as a serious crime. 
And we fought to pass laws like this one around the country, fought 
subsequently to get a crime like stalking declared as a crime and not 
just get sort of brushed aside as something trivial that women 
shouldn't worry their pretty little heads over. These kind of crimes, 
domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, are taken seriously now by 
law enforcement. They have the resources behind them as a result of the 
Violence Against Women Act.
  We look forward to the reauthorization, the discussions that will 
occur next year, and celebrate the 15th year since VAWA's first 
introduction and passage.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to introduce H. Res. 738 
to recognize the accomplishments we have made in the fight to end 
violence against women in the United States in the fifteen years since 
President Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act into law on 
September 13, 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law 
Enforcement Act of 1994. This recognized the severity of the crimes 
associated with domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, we have 
made great progress.
  In 1993, a woman was raped every six seconds in the United States and 
a female was beaten every 15 seconds.
  In July 1994, there were three times as many animal shelters in the 
United States as battered women shelters.
  No doubt about it--the Violence Against Women Act has vastly improved 
access to support and care to women and families who are victims of 
domestic violence and stalking.
  During a time, when women were still considered secondary to men, my 
colleagues of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues and I battled 
to explain the importance of protecting women form the horrors of 
violence and abuse.
  In the House, I worked with former Representatives Patricia 
Schroeder, Constance Morella and now Senators Olympia J. Snowe, and 
Barbara Boxer and Chuck Schumer to author the Violence Against Women 
Act. In the Senate, Vice President Biden, then the Chairman of the 
Senate Judiciary Committee, championed the Senate version of VAWA.
  The 1994 bill was a watershed, marking the first comprehensive 
legislative package designed to end violence against women. The 
protections and provisions afforded by the 1994 law were subsequently 
expanded and improved in the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 and 
they Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization 
Act of 2005.
  VAWA has led to the reduction of domestic violence incidents 
reported. By reducing the need for emergency and medical responses, 
VAWA has averted more than $14 billion dollars in societal costs as 
VAWA-funded interventions have lowered domestic violence frequency and 
sexual assault rates.
  VAWA has succeeded in bringing communities together to address 
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Prior 
to VAWA, few helping systems in a community addressed these crimes. Now 
law enforcement, prosecution, the courts, victim services and community 
based programs work together on the grassroots and statewide levels to 
develop long-term plans for addressing the crimes. VAWA has brought 
innovative practices to the field by funding demonstration projects, 
trainings, and supporting the development of specialized courts and 
police teams.
  The Sexual Assault Services Program, created in VAWA 2005, enabled 
the country's 1300 rape crisis centers to reduce waiting lists, reach 
out to underserved communities, and provide more comprehensive services 
to survivors of sexual assault across the nation.
  Since 1997, VAWA has funded the Sexual Assault Coalition Resource 
Sharing Project (RSP) to develop and strengthen state and territorial 
sexual assault coalitions. In 1997, there were only 26 states with 
either no coalition or a coalition with no paid staff. Through VAWA and 
the efforts of the RSP in 2009 all 50 states and 5 territories have 
sexual assault or dual issue sexual assault/domestic violence 
coalitions in place.
  During the last fifteen years, the National Center for Victims of 
Crime has witnessed dramatic improvement in the way our nation responds 
to stalking cases, progress greatly owed to the Violence Against Women 
Act (VAWA). By including stalking in the original landmark bill, 
Congress elevated this crime in our nation's consciousness and 
highlighted it as a serious offense requiring heightened attention.
  With VAWA funding, the National Center for Victims of Crime created 
the Stalking Resource Center raise national awareness of stalking and 
to encourage the development and implementation of multidisciplinary 
responses to stalking in local communities across the country. VAWA has 
also provided crucial federal support for efforts by criminal justice 
officials and victim service providers to hold offenders accountable 
and to keep stalking victims safe.
  VAWA has supported the Stalking Resource Centers work to create a 
model stalking code that will serve as a guide for lawmakers' 
initiatives to update their states' stalking laws to keep pace with an 
ever-changing, and has enabled the SRC to train over 30,000 
multidisciplinary professionals across the country who work with and 
respond to stalking victims, better equipping them to respond to the 
crime of stalking.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the fifteenth anniversary 
of the signing of VAWA which took place on September 13, 1994 while 
recognizing the accomplishments we have made and the continuing 
commitment in the fight to end violence against women.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
738, Recognizing the 15th Anniversary of the Enactment of the Violence 
Against Women Act, offered by my friend and colleague Representative 
Louise Slaughter of New York.
  The 15th anniversary of President Clinton signing this landmark 
legislation into law offers

[[Page 21516]]

us the opportunity both to see how far we have come and to recognize 
that there is still much ground to be covered as we continue to protect 
vulnerable women and work on behalf of abused women across this nation.
  What is so important about VAWA, just as much today as it was 15 
years ago, is that it specifically identifies women as an at-risk 
population because of violence perpetrated against them. Violence 
against women ranges from rape to physical and mental abuse to stalking 
to other forms of domestic violence. It was appropriate to pass 
legislation specifically geared toward identifying different forms of 
violence, who was affected by this violence, and what judicial and 
social services were available for victims and potential victims. Our 
current Vice President Joe Biden played a leading role in shaping and 
forwarding this legislation when he was in the Senate, and we should 
acknowledge him for championing the bill and being instrumental in its 
final passage.
  Since the enactment of VAWA into law, there has been a proliferation 
of community and advocacy organizations, shelters, health clinics, and 
law enforcement divisions and programs dedicated to protecting women 
from abuse and to giving them time to heal and piece their lives back 
together.
  VAWA funding has made it possible for women--and often times their 
children--to be able to leave their batterers and seek the help they 
need to begin life anew, more so than at any other time in our Nation's 
history. And given the unprecedented rate at which state and local 
budgets have been slashed during the recent economic downturn, VAWA 
funding is more crucial than ever: to date the Office of Violence 
Against Women, created under the Department of Justice to implement 
VAWA, has issued $3.5 billion in grants and cooperative agreements.
  I have long strived to be a voice for those who have difficulty being 
heard. Despite the significant inroads that VAWA has made in the lives 
of countless women throughout this country, we continue to see alarming 
trends in the rates of abuse, rape, and murder of women. Under the 
auspices of VAWA and other initiatives meant to protect women, I will 
continue to champion women and to offer and sponsor legislation to 
protect and empower them.
  I was proud to vote for the passage of VAWA 15 years ago. So let 
today mark an important milestone to commemorate the work that has been 
done over the last 15 years. But let it also force all of us to 
redouble our efforts to continue legislating and advocating on behalf 
of women who find themselves in abusive and dangerous relationships and 
situations.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 738 and I commend 
Representative Slaughter for offering it.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support for H. Res. 
738, Recognizing the 15th Anniversary of the Enactment of the Violence 
Against Women Act of 1994. I express my gratitude to Ms. Slaughter for 
her leadership in introducing this important bill. This is legislation 
that I have worked on since becoming a member of the House Judiciary 
Committee in 1995 and I have worked with my colleagues through the 
years to improve the legislation.
  The need for such legislation is punctuated by the tragic murder of 
Yale graduate student Annie Le. While an investigation into this matter 
is still ongoing, Ms. Le's death appears to have been related to her 
wedding scheduled for today. As a Yale alumnae, I'm particularly 
grieved by this tragedy, and my heart and sympathies go out to Ms. Le, 
her family, and her mourning fiancee, on what would have been their 
wedding day.
  Ms. Le's murder in a Yale research building shows that domestic 
violence has no barriers, and crosses racial, ethnic, and economic 
boundaries. It is in this backdrop that we celebrated legislation 
proposing a federal response to the problem of violence against women.
  A review of history shows that the first legislative action on this 
matter was introduced in 1990, although such violence was first 
identified as a serious problem by Congress in the 1970s. In 1994, this 
legislative action culminated by the passage of the Violence Against 
Women Act (VAWA). Funding under the bill emphasized enforcement as well 
as educational and social programs to prevent crime. The focus of the 
funding was on local government programs, an approach that the sponsors 
of the bill believed was the most promising technique for reducing 
crime and violence. They also cautioned that, because of the variety of 
programs funded through the states, the impact of the bill may be 
difficult to quantify. Funding through FY2000 was authorized through 
the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund (VCRTF). Authorization for VCRTF 
expired at the end of FY2000. Nonetheless, most of the programs in VAWA 
received appropriations for FY2001.
  On October 28, 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Victims of 
Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, which included the 
Violence Against Women Act of 2000. The Violence Against Women Act of 
2000 (VAWA 2000) continued to support VAWA by reauthorizing existing 
programs and adding new initiatives, including grants to assist victims 
of dating violence, transitional housing for victims of violence, a 
pilot program aimed at protecting children during visits with a parent 
who has been accused of domestic violence, and protections from 
violence for elderly and disabled women. It also made technical 
amendments, and required grant recipients to submit reports on the 
effectiveness of programs funded by the grants to aid with the 
dissemination of information on successful programs. The bill amended 
the Public Health Service Act to require that certain funds be used 
exclusively for rape prevention and education programs. Moreover, the 
bill made it easier for battered immigrant women to leave and to help 
prosecute their abusers.
  This last element is important to note. Under the old law, battered 
immigrant women could be deported if they left abusers who are their 
sponsors for residency and citizenship in the United States. VAWA 2000 
created special rules for alien battered spouses and children to allow 
them to remain in the United States.
  The original VAWA, established within DOJ and HHS discretionary grant 
programs for state, local, and Indian tribal governments. VAWA 2000 
reauthorized many VAWA programs, set new funding levels, and created 
new grant programs to address sexual assaults on campuses and assist 
victims of domestic abuse.
  VAWA 2000 also authorized the Attorney General to award grants to 
private nonprofit entities, Indian tribal governments, and publically 
funded organizations to increase the availability of legal assistance 
to victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault in legal 
matters, such as immigration, housing matters, and protection orders, 
at minimum or no cost to the victim. These grants may be used to 
establish or expand cooperative efforts between victim services 
organizations and legal assistance providers, by providing training, 
technical assistance, and data collection.
  VAWA 2000 included grants to be administered by HHS for short-term 
transitional housing assistance and support services for victims of 
domestic abuse. The Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 and 
the PROTECT Act authorized funding of both HHS and DOJ transitional 
housing assistance programs for victims of domestic violence.
  VAWA 2000 amended the language of the existing STOP grants and 
``Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies'' to provide funds to increase 
protection of older individuals and individuals with disabilities from 
domestic violence and sexual assault through policies and training for 
police, prosecutors, and the judiciary. It also created new grants, 
administered by the Attorney General, for training programs to assist 
law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and court officials in 
addressing, investigating and prosecuting instances of elder abuse, 
neglect, and exploitation, and violence against individuals with 
disabilities, including domestic violence and sexual assault.
  VAWA 2000 authorized the Attorney General to award grants to state, 
local, and Indian tribal governments to provide supervised visitation 
and safe visitation exchange for children involved in situations of 
domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault.
  Several studies were authorized in VAWA 2000. These included studies 
of (1) insurance discrimination against victims of domestic violence; 
(2) workplace effects of violence against women; (3) unemployment 
compensation for women who are victims of violence; and (4) parental 
kidnapping. VAWA 2000 also required the National Institute of Justice 
(NIJ) to develop a research agenda and plans to implement the agenda 
based on the National Academy of Sciences' recommendations in the 
report Understanding Violence Against Women.
  VAWA 2000 contains the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 
2000, which provides for increased protection of immigrant women who 
are victims of domestic abuse, and creates special rules for alien 
battered spouses and children to allow them to remain in the United 
States. VAWA 2000 also established a task force to coordinate research 
on domestic violence.
  VAWA 2000 established a definition for ``dating violence'' and 
amended the existing law so that STOP grants, Grants to Encourage 
Arrest Policies, and Rural Domestic Violence grants can be awarded for 
programs to combat dating violence, defined as violence committed by a 
person (A) who is or has been in

[[Page 21517]]

a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; 
and (B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined 
based on a consideration of the following factors: (I) the length of 
the relationship; (ii) the type of relationship; and (iii) the 
frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the 
relationship.
  In 2005, Congress reauthorized VAWA, through the Violence Against 
Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 
2005). VAWA 2005 reauthorized many existing programs for FY2007 through 
FY2011, and authorized a number of new programs for victims of domestic 
and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The act emphasized 
collaboration among law enforcement, health and housing professionals, 
and women, men, and youth alliances, and encouraged community 
initiatives to address these issues.
  VAWA 2005 advanced the ball to protect battered women and children. 
Specifically, VAWA 2005 programs sought to focus on young victims of 
violence; improve the health care system's response to violence; inform 
the public and employers about domestic and dating violence, sexual 
assault, and stalking; protect the privacy of victims of violence; 
provide housing assistance, including public housing, for battered 
women and children; and support outreach efforts to underserved 
populations such as ethnic, immigrant, and racial populations.
  In an effort to more closely monitor the status and performance of 
some of these programs, VAWA 2005 provided for some grant recipients to 
submit reports on policies and procedures they followed. The act also 
provided funding for studies and research on effective interventions 
that prevent both acts and effects of domestic and dating violence, 
sexual assault, and stalking.
  Over the past 15 years, the federal government, with the use of the 
public treasury has funded interventions which have lowered assault 
rates. This intervention is estimated to have saved over $14 billion in 
public safety resources that would have been required had VAWA programs 
not prevented or addressed cases of domestic violence in each of the 
fifty states and all of the U.S. territories.
  I have worked with formidable organizations such as Texans Against 
Sexual Assault, who work to bring voices to women who have been victims 
of sexual crimes, and helping them along an emotional recovery. Also, 
the Texas Council on Family Violence, which has connected more than 
15,000 Texas victims of domestic violence with emergency shelter and 
protection.
  In 2005, I offered an Amendment to the VAWA to provide $2 million for 
the Office on Violence Against Women, the Violence Against Women 
Prevention and Prosecution Programs account for ``child abuse training 
programs for judicial personnel and practitioners.'' This allocation 
would be offset by the Edward Byre Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 
Program and transferring the funds to the Office on Violence Against 
Women, Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Program. 
Instead, I proposed that this money be channeled to a program that has 
been significantly under-funded for many years, the Violence Against 
Women Prevention and Prosecution Program's account for child abuse 
training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners as 
authorized by section 222 of the 1990 Act. Domestic Violence is of the 
utmost concern, to me and my constituents. However, in the past, the 
chronic lack of funding and resources has left a number of child 
victims in the cold to cope with the horrible and immense physical and 
psychological effects of the abuse that they have endured.
  As we look down the road for future VAWA reauthorizations, I urge my 
colleagues to focus on how we can take a more comprehensive look at 
domestic violence. Indeed, violence between family members and others 
related by special relations requires a dedication of resources to 
address problems that could be addressed by conflict management 
counseling and other mental health treatment. Indeed, juvenile justice 
data shows that families who are separated as a result of VAWA programs 
may also have an unintended consequence of contributing to juvenile 
delinquency, particularly amongst children of color, young boys in 
particular.
  Together we must take a stand and work together for Women's rights, 
as well as the rights for families. We must work on building a brighter 
future, and make gender based and family based violence a thing of the 
past. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 15th 
anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. This law, which was 
originally signed in 1994, is one of the most significant achievements 
in our history for advancing the equality and empowerment of women.
  Nearly a quarter of women in the United States are victims of 
domestic violence every year. 1 in 6 women will be a victim of sexual 
assault in her lifetime. And that number is 4 times higher for women in 
college.
  Domestic violence not only harms the victim, it has a cumulative 
effect on communities. Children who grow up in households where 
domestic violence occurs are 60-75 percent more likely to experience 
child abuse. These children tend to suffer from a variety of 
psychological problems during their lifetime.
  Given these staggering facts, it is our responsibility to make sure 
that women and children have peace of mind that there is someone on 
their side if they are faced with such harm. The Violence Against Women 
Act has given communities the kinds of resources they need to bring 
this peace of mind closer to a reality.
  This Act not only increased the criminal penalty for acts of domestic 
violence, but strengthened the ability of our communities to respond 
and even prevent these incidents in the first place. VAWA funds legal 
assistance for victims of domestic violence, strengthens domestic 
violence shelters, and helps to enforce restraining orders.
  The law also established an national hotline called by over 1.5 
million abused women seeking help. As a result, domestic violence is 
down 50 percent and rape is down 60 percent nationwide.
  But we still have a long way to go. 60 percent of sexual assaults are 
still not reported to the police. Although this number has declined 
significantly since 1993, we must continue these efforts to end the 
threat of violence against women and children.
  In our society, no woman should ever feel so scared for their lives 
and their safety that they are unable to fulfill their potential. We 
must create a culture in which women and girls can thrive, and this Act 
has taken us one step closer to that goal.
  I want to thank the Congresswoman from New York for this important 
resolution.
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
738, a resolution honoring the 15th Anniversary of the Violence Against 
Women Act (VAWA). I am an original cosponsor of this resolution to 
support the goals and ideals of VAWA. Today we recognize the progress 
that has been made in reducing domestic violence in our country but 
also the significant work that remains.
  In 1994, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) began creating safe 
havens for families affected by domestic violence. This historic 
legislation has succeeded in making America's women more safe and 
secure and it has strengthened America's response to the crimes of 
domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Victims of domestic 
violence are now more able to access services and counseling during 
their darkest hours and prosecutors have the tools to pursue 
perpetrators. VAWA is working to bring communities together by 
coordinating law enforcement officers, victim advocates and 
prosecutors.
  No one should have to live in fear or suffer in silence from domestic 
violence. We as society must provide sufficient resources to federal, 
state and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors who specialize 
in crimes targeted against women. We must also support organizations 
that offer services to women and families who have experienced 
violence.
  Domestic violence hurts families and entire communities. The 
communities of Minnesota's Fourth District learned this all too well on 
September 7, 2009, when North St. Paul police officer Richard 
Crittenden and Maplewood police officer Julie Olson answered a domestic 
violence call--one of the most dangerous an officer can receive. 
Officer Richard Crittenden was killed and Officer Olson was injured in 
the line of duty. Officer Crittenden made the ultimate saceifice--his 
life--to protect a woman from a man who had repeatedly abused her.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to acknowledge all those who 
work to reduce domestic violence in communities across our country. 
Much has been accomplished in the last fifteen years, but the number of 
incidents of violence against women still remains too high. On this 
anniversary, I urge my colleagues to recommit themselves to ending 
domestic violence.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 738, 
a resolution honoring the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against 
Women Act of 1994. As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for 
Women's Issues I am proud to support landmark legislation that shined a 
light on the problem of intimate partner violence and provided women 
with the resources needed to escape violent relationships.
  This 15th anniversary, we celebrate the tremendous gains we have made 
in raising

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awareness about domestic violence and empowering women to leave 
unhealthy relationships and rebuilt their lives away from their 
abusers.
  President Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act on September 
13, 1994, as part of the Omnibus Crime Bill. And over the last 15 years 
we have made tremendous progress toward ending the cycle of abuse. 
States have taken up the charge and have passed close to 700 laws to 
combat domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As a result, 
more victims are reporting their abuse and the number of women killed 
by an intimate partner decreased by 24 percent. The number of 
comprehensive service program has grown exponentially since the passage 
of VAMA.
  However, we have more work to do. Despite these gains, the 
anniversary of VAWA reminds us that there are many women and children 
still living in terror and in constant fear for their safety.
  Today, the cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion 
annually, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health 
services. Nearly 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will be abused by a current 
or former partner at some time in their lives.
  We need to continue looking for a wide range of solutions to this 
problem. We need to devote more resources to helping women and their 
children begin living healthy and happy lives free of violence.
  I am glad we are honoring the legislation on its 15th anniversary and 
I look forward to reauthorizing the program next year. I hope that we 
will continue our efforts to protect women from abuse and encourage the 
building of healthy families.
  I urge all of my colleagues to strongly support the resolution.
  Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of recognizing 
the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994. 
I commend our distinguished colleague from New York, Representative 
Slaughter, for introducing this resolution which recognizes a 
significant achievement in the women's rights movement.
  This landmark legislation, originally authored by our former 
colleague, Senator Joseph Biden, set a new standard for preventing 
violence against women and provides resources necessary for coping with 
attacks that have occurred. Since the enactment of VAWA fifteen years 
ago, this country has made significant progress in our response to 
domestic and dating violence, sexual assaults and stalking.
  Provisions of VAWA have allowed for additional training for law 
enforcement officers dedicated to these issues. Additionally, VAWA 
authorized funding for an office within the Department of Justice, 
which is dedicated to ending violence against women. Notably this 
legislation created a national domestic violence hotline, which has 
provided information and help to millions of women in crisis.
  VAWA has brought communities together in order to address domestic 
violence and rally support for survivors. It is important for Congress 
and all Americans to recognize the achievements of this legislation. 
Since VAWA's inception, this country's awareness of domestic violence 
has increased and resources to help victims have become more readily 
available and accessible.
  Though we have made great progress, the instances of domestic 
violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence are still too 
high. Far too many women in our great nation are victims of violence. 
We must take further action to keep women safe and provide justice for 
those who have been victims. Too many communities remain underserved 
and lack the resources to provide services to victims of sexual 
violence. We need to continue to increase awareness about sexual 
violence, provide funding to programs that prevent and punish that 
violence and educate women about the help that is available to victims.
  I am proud of the achievements made in the past fifteen years, and I 
look forward to supporting the renewal of the Violence Against Women 
Act in 2010. Again, I thank my friend from New York for introducing H. 
Res. 738 which commemorates this landmark legislation.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 738.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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