[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 25673-25677]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS 
                                 MONTH

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 817) supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing the sense of 
the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise 
awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating 
effects on families and communities, and support programs designed to 
end domestic violence, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

[[Page 25674]]



                              H. Res. 817

       Whereas domestic violence affects people of all ages as 
     well as racial, ethnic, gender, economic, and religious 
     backgrounds;
       Whereas females are disproportionately victims and one in 
     four women will experience domestic violence at some point in 
     her life;
       Whereas on average, more than three women are murdered by 
     their husbands or boyfriends in the United States every day;
       Whereas in 2005, 1,181 women were murdered by an intimate 
     partner constituting 78 percent of all intimate partner 
     homicides that year;
       Whereas women ages 16 to 24 experience the highest rates, 
     per capita, of intimate partner violence;
       Whereas 1 out of 3 Native American women will be raped and 
     6 out of 10 will be physically assaulted in their lifetimes;
       Whereas the cost of intimate partner violence exceeds 
     $5,800,000,000 each year, $4,100,000 of which is for direct 
     medical and mental health care services;
       Whereas one-quarter to one-half of domestic violence 
     victims report that they have lost a job due, at least in 
     part, to domestic violence;
       Whereas the annual cost of lost productivity due to 
     domestic violence is estimated at $727,800,000 with over 
     7,900,000 paid workdays lost per year;
       Whereas some landlords deny housing to victims of domestic 
     violence who have protection orders or evict victims of 
     domestic violence for seeking help after a domestic violence 
     incident, such as by calling 911, or who have other 
     indications that they are domestic violence victims;
       Whereas 92 percent of homeless women experience severe 
     physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lifetimes;
       Whereas approximately 40 to 60 percent of men who abuse 
     women also abuse children;
       Whereas approximately 15,500,000 children are exposed to 
     domestic violence every year;
       Whereas children exposed to domestic violence are more 
     likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away 
     from home, and engage in teenage prostitution;
       Whereas one large study found that men exposed to physical 
     abuse, sexual abuse, and adult domestic violence as children 
     were almost four times more likely than other men to have 
     perpetrated domestic violence as adults;
       Whereas nearly 1,500,000 high school students nationwide 
     experienced physical abuse from a dating partner in 2003;
       Whereas 13 percent of teenage girls who have been in a 
     relationship report being hit or hurt by their partners and 
     one in four teenage girls has been in a relationship in which 
     she was pressured by her partner into performing sexual acts;
       Whereas adolescent girls who reported dating violence were 
     60 percent more likely to report one or more suicide attempts 
     in the past year;
       Whereas there is a need for middle schools, secondary 
     schools, and post-secondary schools to educate students about 
     the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating 
     violence, and stalking;
       Whereas 88 percent of men in a national poll reported that 
     they think that our society should do more to respect women 
     and girls;
       Whereas a recently released multi-State study shows that 
     the Nation's domestic violence shelters are addressing 
     victims' urgent and long-term needs and are helping victims 
     protect themselves and their children;
       Whereas a 2008 National Census Survey reported that 60,799 
     adults and children were served by domestic violence shelters 
     and programs around the Nation in a single day;
       Whereas an additional 8,927 people requested help that day, 
     but due to lack of resources, they were unable to be served;
       Whereas there is a need to increase funding for programs 
     aimed at intervening and preventing domestic violence in the 
     United States; and
       Whereas individuals and organizations that are dedicated to 
     preventing and ending domestic violence should be recognized: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic 
     Violence Awareness Month; and
       (2) expresses the sense of the House of Representatives 
     that Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic 
     violence in the United States and its devastating effects on 
     families and communities, and support programs designed to 
     end domestic violence.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. 
Biggert) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Puerto Rico.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 817 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 817, 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness 
Month and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 
Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the 
United States. I would also like to thank Congressman Al Green for 
bringing this resolution forward. It is an important bill and deserves 
much attention.
  National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is recognized in the month 
of October. As such, communities and many groups hold events to educate 
the public about the violence that affects millions of women, men and 
children every single day. Domestic violence advocacy increases 
awareness and helps battered people seek the help they desperately 
need.
  Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, assault, battery, 
sexual assault or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate 
partner against another. It is an epidemic that affects men, women and 
children in every community regardless of age, sex, economic status, 
nationality or educational background.
  One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her 
lifetime, and those who report domestic violence are more likely to 
commit suicide. In addition, the costs of domestic violence exceed $5.8 
billion each year. As evidenced by these staggering statistics, 
domestic violence has far-reaching effects on society.
  When we think of domestic violence, we often think of women being the 
victims, yet men suffer from domestic violence as well. Male victims 
are less likely than women to report violence and to seek services due 
to the stigma associated with being a male victim or concerns about not 
being believed. Both men and women respond to interpersonal violence 
with feelings of disbelief, ridicule and shame that only enhance their 
silence.
  Our attention to domestic violence has grown, but we need to do more 
to raise awareness of this problem because it can serve as a dangerous, 
never-ending cycle. Whether domestic violence is present in couples or 
in marriages, children who witness violent behavior are more likely to 
carry domestic violence into their adult relationships.
  Research shows that children witnessing domestic violence and living 
in an environment where violence occurs may experience some of the same 
trauma as abused children. They may become fearful, aggressive or 
withdrawn. Adolescents may exhibit risk-taking behaviors, such as 
abusing drugs and alcohol, running away, engaging in sexual promiscuity 
and participating in criminal activity. All of these behaviors have an 
effect on society as a whole, and we can break the chain of domestic 
violence through ongoing education and comprehensive universal support.
  We must remember that domestic violence victims are our mothers, 
fathers, sisters and brothers. Congress must continue to lead in making 
our Nation aware of domestic violence and its impact on our society. We 
can galvanize public awareness for victims of domestic violence. 
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 817.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 817, supporting the goals 
and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing 
the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should raise 
awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating 
effects on families and communities and support programs designed to 
end domestic violence.
  As the gentleman from Puerto Rico just mentioned, one in every four 
women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Boys who 
witness domestic violence are twice as likely

[[Page 25675]]

to abuse their partners and children when they become adults. The cost 
of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year. As evident 
by these staggering statistics, domestic violence has a far-reaching 
effect on society.
  Let me repeat the definition that the gentleman from Puerto Rico 
stated: domestic violence is the willful intimidation, assault, 
battery, sexual assault and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an 
intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic that affects 
individuals in every community regardless of age, economic status, 
religion, nationality, educational background or gender.
  When we think of domestic violence, we often think of women being 
victims. However, men are victimized as well, and children are also 
affected. We think of violence as just violence, not domestic violence. 
But violence really begins at the home, and it really begins at the 
back of someone's hand, or whatever, rather than a stranger, and it 
goes throughout the community. Male victims are less likely to report 
the violence and seek services due to the stigma associated with being 
a male victim or not being believed or being denied the status of a 
victim. But both men and women experience the same dynamics of 
interpersonal violence, including experiences of disbelief, ridicule 
and shame that only enhance their silence.
  Unfortunately, the youngest victims are the children who witness the 
abuse. Research has shown that children witnessing domestic violence 
and living in that environment may experience some of the same trauma 
as abused children. They may become fearful, aggressive or withdrawn. 
Adolescents may act out or exhibit risk-taking behaviors. Domestic 
violence harms the victim, the children, the abuser and the entire 
health of American families and communities. So we must raise awareness 
about this issue. The health of our country depends on it.
  Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 817, and 
I would reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. I do have one additional speaker.
  I would like to say that the victims of domestic violence in 
America--women, men, children--are looking up to us to take the lead, 
to make sure that this epidemic does not continue. They're particularly 
vulnerable, and they want us to relate to them; they want us to support 
them, and the best way we can do that is by being aware and by taking 
the lead and making sure that there are Federal programs as well as 
State initiatives that make sense and make a difference.
  Without adding anything else, I now yield 5 minutes to the sponsor of 
this resolution, the gentleman from Texas, Congressman Al Green.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Thank you very much.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored that leadership has brought this 
resolution, H. Res. 817, to the floor today. I believe that this 
resolution is important, and this likewise seems to be the case with my 
colleagues because this resolution has received the support of 57 
Democratic and Republican cosponsors. This resolution has been a 
bipartisan effort. And for fear that I will forget, let me mention now 
that my colleague, the Honorable Ted Poe, will not be with us today, 
but he is here in spirit. He suffered the same fate as I; his plane is 
late in Houston, Texas. I was on the runway for 2 hours. I barely made 
it, but thank God that I did. I want the Members to know that he is 
solidly behind this resolution. This resolution, with reference to 
domestic violence, transcends party affiliation; it transcends 
ethnicity; it transcends gender; and it transcends the boundaries of 
human decency.
  Many thank you's are in order. I want to thank the President, 
President Barack Obama, for declaring October National Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month. I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi because 
she has entered a statement recognizing this as Domestic Violence 
Awareness Month. The Congressional Women's Caucus deserves a sound 
round of thank you's because they have been involved in helping us to 
raise awareness year-round. I would like to thank Chairman George 
Miller of the Education and Labor Committee for the outstanding work 
that he has done in helping us to get this resolution to the floor. His 
staff has done a stellar job. They have worked with my staff to make 
sure that the resolution arrived here timely. I would like to thank the 
ranking member, John Kline, for his work with the Honorable Ted Poe in 
helping us to get this resolution to the floor.
  All of my colleagues are honorable, but I am mentioning Ted in such a 
way simply because he is not here, and I know his heart is with us. I 
would like to thank the ranking member who is here today, 
Representative Judy Biggert, for her help and for her kind words with 
reference to this resolution and Representative Pierluisi from Puerto 
Rico for his efforts to help us get this resolution to the floor and 
for managing this resolution today.
  At this time I want to call our attention to some history associated 
with this issue of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month 
was first observed 22 years ago, and since that time, we've had 
additional legislation that has come into being that has made a 
difference with reference to helping us to end domestic violence. The 
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act of 1984 is an important 
piece of legislation. This piece of legislation helped us to acquire 
more emergency shelters, crisis prevention programs and community 
education efforts. It truly has made a difference.
  There also has been another piece of important legislation, the 
Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which created a new culture for the 
police officers who work these cases and the judges who hear these 
cases. These cases at one time were thought to be, unfortunately, 
family business, and there were too many persons who were involved in 
the business of law enforcement who did not make it their business. I'm 
honored that the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 has helped change 
this culture. I would also mention that the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009 was important because it contained $225 
million for violence against women programs. These programs are going 
to be of great benefit to a good many women.
  Domestic violence awareness is growing, but it has not reached a 
point wherein we can rest on our efforts. At one time it was one of the 
most underreported crimes in this country. As I indicated, too many 
police officers, too many judges, too many persons associated with 
enforcement did not make it their business. And although we have sought 
to do the business of helping women and men who are victims of domestic 
violence, there is still much work to be done. One survey indicates 
that in 1 day, more than 60,000 people received help. However, at the 
same time, on that same day, 9,000 requests went unanswered. There is 
still much work to be done. In my State of Texas, the Houston Area 
Women's Center has indicated that in the year 2008, 136 women were 
killed by their intimate partners, 11 children were killed, and 96 
children lost their parents to domestic violence.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I thank the gentleman for yielding the 
additional time.
  Ninety-six children were killed by domestic violence.
  The national data on this is equally as appalling. More than three 
women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States 
every day. One of every four women will experience domestic violence at 
some point in her lifetime. In 2005, 1,181 women were murdered by an 
intimate partner. Women from ages 16 to 24 experience the highest rates 
of domestic violence on a per capita basis. Six of 10 Native American 
women will be physically assaulted in their lifetimes. Ninety-two 
percent of homeless women will experience physical or sexual abuse at 
some point in their lifetimes. Forty to sixty percent of men who abuse 
women also abuse children.

[[Page 25676]]

  Millions of children witness every year domestic violence. By at 
least one estimate, 15.5 million children witness domestic violence.
  So we now come to a call to action. We should not allow anyone to 
have to live in fear within his or her home. We believe that this is an 
offense that can be eliminated. It will take much effort from us. We 
here in Congress will have to fund the programs that can make a 
difference. And without question, programs have been developed that can 
make a difference. Training is necessary to teach people how to live 
with each other without abusing each other. The police must enforce the 
laws, the judges must enforce the laws, and in the end we can live in a 
world where people can live safely in their homes without fear of being 
harmed by people that they have great affinity and affection for.

       The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), the 
     National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) along 
     with 9 other national organizations is heralding the arrival 
     of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and urging Congress, 
     members of the media and the public to take a stand against 
     domestic abuse.
       The economic downturn is exacerbating domestic violence, 
     and victims of domestic abuse urgently need everyone's help. 
     Although the economy does not cause domestic violence, but in 
     abusive relationships, factors associated with a bad economy 
     can increase the frequency and severity of abuse. Job losses, 
     the lack of affordable health care, the housing crisis and a 
     host of other conditions are increasing abuse and leaving 
     survivors with fewer options to escape. The demand for 
     services is going up, but funding for services is going down.
       Governmental entities, corporations and individuals are 
     tightening their budgets and are funding life-saving programs 
     at reduced levels across the nation.
       In a national census survey conducted by the National 
     Network to End Domestic Violence, in just one day in 2008 
     more than 60,000 victims sought services, yet nearly 9,000 
     requests for services went unmet due to lack of funding.
       The most extreme example is California, where the governor 
     completely eliminated state funding for domestic violence 
     services. Other states have seen funding reductions, but 
     California represents the most shocking of these reckless 
     cuts.
       This year, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is 
     particularly meaningful. The movement against domestic abuse 
     is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against 
     Women Act, originally authored by then-Senator Joe Biden. 
     This year is also the 25th anniversary of the Family Violence 
     Prevention & Services Act. Both are critical federal laws 
     that provide funding for services and the justice system's 
     responses to intimate partner abuse.
       These laws have made an amazing difference in our ability 
     to address domestic violence. Across the country, federal, 
     state and local laws are working to serve countless survivors 
     and saving lives, but we need to do more. Still, an average 
     of three women are murdered daily by someone who says love 
     you.' This is unacceptable and preventable. Domestic violence 
     affects us all, and it tears at the fabric of our 
     communities. Every day, men, women and children experience 
     the tragic effects of domestic violence.''
       In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let us 
     renew efforts to invest in lifesaving shelters and other 
     critical domestic violence services like counseling and 
     emergency hotlines.
       Members of Congress and the public can take a stand for 
     survivors of abuse by supporting the Domestic Violence 
     Awareness Month Resolution sponsored by Representative Al 
     Green (D-TX) and Representative Ted Poe (R-TX), which has 
     received bipartisan support of nearly 60 members of the House 
     of Representatives.
           Sincerely,
     Sue Else,
       President, National Network to End Domestic Violence.
     Rita Smith,
       President, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
       Additional National Organizations Endorsing the Domestic 
     Violence Awareness Month Resolution: Break the Cycle, Casa De 
     Esperanza, Congress of American Indians Task Force on 
     Violence Against Women, Family Violence Prevention Fund, 
     Legal Momentum, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, 
     National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual 
     Assault, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 
     Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to close.
  I really appreciate the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) being down 
here and speaking about his bill and about the background of domestic 
violence because it's been obviously going on for a long time. We have 
made great strides. As I have witnessed, we reauthorized the Violence 
Against Women Act, VAWA, several times. But it's been a long time 
coming and a long time to be recognized. And that's why this awareness 
month is so important so that we can really take a look and see how can 
we really end this and how can we do it to help the police, the 
families. But we have got to have the education, I think, that will 
help to stave that off. And the more we can do to recognize the causes 
of it and how to deal with it, the better.
  I thank the author and I thank the gentleman from Puerto Rico for 
managing this bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this resolution is to remind all of us 
that domestic violence here in the United States is as prevalent now as 
it has ever been. Millions of men, women and children across the 
country are affected by domestic violence each year.
  In a day last year more than 60,000 victims sought and received help 
from domestic violence programs, and due to lack of funding and 
resources, 8,927 requests were left unmet. Some may even die because of 
the lack of services counties across the country are unable to provide 
for families affected by family violence. In Harris county Texas alone, 
filings for domestic violence are 18 percent above last year and 40 
percent more than 2007. These numbers are not only staggering but they 
are unacceptable.
  On October 10th, 2005 in Baltimore, Maryland Yvette Cade's estranged 
husband, Roger Hargrave, carried a soda bottle filled with gasoline to 
her work and poured it over her body. As she ran outside, she tripped 
in the parking lot and he set her on fire. Ms. Cade was attacked three 
weeks after; Prince George's County District Court Judge Richard 
Palumbo lifted a protective order against Hargrave. Judge Palumbo is 
being charged with misconduct, claiming he violated judicial standards 
when he dismissed the protective order against Hargrave despite Cade's 
protests. Ms. Cade has third-degree burns over 60 percent of her body 
and has had over 15 surgeries due to this horrific crime.
  On January 29th, 2009 in Houston, Texas a man was accused of killing 
his estranged girlfriend's mother and then shooting himself. He had 
been charged with domestic violence days earlier, after he beat his 17-
month-old daughter. Elaine Walker was shot trying to protect her 
daughter when Roydrick Jiles burst into the daughter's home. Auriel 
Walker had refused to see or talk to Jiles, after he beat her and their 
child several days before. She tried to stop him from breaking into 
their home and he then shot Elaine Walker, Auriel's mother. He then 
abducted his estranged girlfriend and their child until he shot 
himself.
  Both of these stories prove that sometimes there are preliminary 
warning signs of domestic violence which, if not handled correctly, can 
often times lead to severe abuse and even death. Approximately 1.3 
million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate 
partner annually in the United States. One in every four women will 
experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
  Witnessing violence between one's parents or caretakers is the 
strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one 
generation to the next. Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as 
likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become 
adults.
  We must continue to raise awareness in this country of how common 
domestic violence is, and without funding and proper resources local 
governments cannot combat this problem alone. It takes all of us, and 
informing people of this nationwide problem is the first step. And 
that's just the way it is.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of House Resolution 817 to support the goals and ideals of 
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to raise awareness of 
domestic violence in the United States.
  When we discuss domestic violence, we are often surprised to discover 
that domestic violence happens to people of every socioeconomic 
background in the United States. Everyday, countless individuals become 
victims of acts perpetuated by intimate partners that seek to 
establish, maintain, or regain power and control in a relationship. 
These acts can be as basic as mental and verbal abuse and range to the 
more obvious physical and sexual abuse. Many times, the victims of 
these acts are the least likely people one would suspect to suffer from 
abusive situations, and for this reason domestic violence awareness 
month is so important.

[[Page 25677]]

  It is also crucial to note that women are the most frequent victims 
of domestic violence, and it is estimated that one in every four women 
will experience domestic violence at some point in their life. 
Additionally, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or 
boyfriends in the United States every day, and in 2005 alone, 1,181 
women were murdered by an intimate partner. These staggering numbers 
remind us that we must do all we can to end domestic violence, and 
particularly domestic violence against women.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting House 
Resolution 817 so that we can raise awareness about domestic violence 
and help to end it.
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
the resolution to declare October 2009 the twenty-second Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month.
  The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed in 1987. 
Over these last 22 years, we have made major strides in making 
Americans safer and more secure and ensuring the victims of violence 
receive the services they need.
  With the support of federal and state funds, the number of domestic 
violence shelters, rape crisis centers and service programs has 
increased significantly. These shelters offer victims a place to turn 
for help: for emergency shelter and crisis services, and also for legal 
assistance, transitional housing, and services for their children.
  Not only have we strengthened our laws and justice system, we have 
also brought together victims advocates. law enforcement, and health 
care professionals to ensure more effective treatment for victims of 
domestic violence.
  This month is an occasion to recognize dedicated law enforcement 
officers, special prosecutors, counselors, and shelter programs that 
understand that ending violence requires the efforts of an entire 
community. It is also a time to reiterate that domestic violence in any 
form is a crime. It does not matter whether the abuser is a family 
member; a current or past spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend; an 
acquaintance; or a stranger. It is a crime, and it is wrong.
  Today, I also commend those who have found the courage to leave an 
abusive relationship. When individuals get the resources they need, 
they become strong, and so do their families.
  Despite all the gains we have made in reducing domestic violence, we 
must recognize that the work is not complete; too many are still 
victims, and too many live in fear on a daily basis. It will take all 
of us to fulfill the promise to end domestic violence and assault.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, domestic violence is a widespread problem. 
Over two million people a year are physically assaulted by an intimate 
partner, and an additional 1.3 million are the victims of stalking. H. 
Res. 817 is an important reminder that October is National Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month, and that we need to raise awareness of the 
problem and its serious consequences for victims and their families.
  We know that the majority of these domestic violence victims are 
women, and they often need leave from work to address the effects of 
this violence. While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA, P.L. 103-
3) allows employees to take unpaid leave from work for other situations 
(e.g. for birth, adoption or to care for a spouse, child under age 18, 
or parent who has a serious health condition), there is no leave for 
workers who are recovering from domestic abuse, sexual assault, or 
stalking, and who need medical attention, legal assistance, counseling, 
or to participate in other activities that take place during working 
hours.
  H.R. 2515, the Domestic Violence Leave Act, which I have introduced, 
expands the FMLA to allow workers to take leave to address the 
consequences of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It also 
provides leave to workers so that they can care for a family member--
spouse, parent or child, including an adult child--who is a victim of 
abuse. In addition, the bill extends all of the protections of the FMLA 
to ``domestic partners,'' and ``children of a domestic partner.''
  Our primary goal must be to stamp out domestic violence altogether. 
But until then, we need to help those victims who need time off to deal 
with its effects.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 817, 
which supports the goals and ideals of Domestic Violence Awareness 
Month and expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that 
Congress should raise awareness of domestic violence issues and support 
programs designed to end domestic violence.
  Twenty-two years ago, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was 
observed and since 1989 legislation designating October as National 
Violence Awareness Month has passed every year. Domestic violence 
affects people of every age, race, ethnicity, religion, and gender. 
Women are most disproportionately affected and nearly one in four women 
will experience domestic violence during her lifetime. Every single day 
in the United States, more than three women are murdered by their 
significant other. Young women ages 16 to 24 experience the highest 
rates of intimate partner violence. Every year, over 15 million 
children are exposed to domestic violence and these children are more 
likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, attempt suicide, and become involved 
in teenage prostitution. These statistics are sobering.
  In a struggling economy, domestic violence programs are needed more 
than ever. Earlier this year marked the 15th anniversary of the passage 
of the Federal Violence Against Women Act; however, more work must be 
done to protect victims of domestic violence. In my home State of 
California, cuts in state financing have led to elimination of funding 
for shelter services. This has translated to cuts in services and fewer 
victims being served. Ultimately, this sends a message that victims of 
domestic abuse are not a priority to our State.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the goals 
and ideals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote for the 
resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 817, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________