[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 941]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                   NATIONAL STALKING AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 3, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in February 2010, 23 year old Alissa 
Blanton was shot and killed by her stalker.
  He began harassing her two years earlier when she worked as a 
waitress.
  The situation became so severe that Alissa had to quit her job in 
order to get away from this customer who would not leave her alone.
  Even after changing jobs, moving twice, and getting married, she was 
still followed and sent threatening emails and letters.
  She was murdered in front of her husband two weeks after being denied 
a protective order.
  Sadly, this story of constant harassment and stalking is not 
infrequent in our society.
  One in six women is stalked in her lifetime.
  If the perpetrator is not stopped, these situations can lead to 
murder.
  January marked National Stalking Awareness Month.
  We remember those affected and recognize the importance of becoming 
more aware of this crime in order to protect ourselves and those around 
us.
  And that's just the way it is.

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