[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11256]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LUKE MESSER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 2013

  Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the wonderful work 
of the Children's Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana.
  On July 15, 2013, the Region 15 Children's Advocacy Center, serving 
the families of Dearborn, Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, 
and Switzerland Counties, will celebrate the completion of the Center's 
1,000th forensic interview. These child-friendly forensic interviews 
are critical in identifying cases of mental or physical child abuse. 
Using non-leading and age-appropriate questions, a forensic interview 
uncovers the child's reality, in their own words, about the situation 
and is the most efficient means of providing support and accuracy to 
the criminal justice and child welfare systems in our State. For nearly 
a decade, my mother served as a court appointed special advocate for 
children in abuse cases, and I appreciate how important the child's 
perspective is to a positive court outcome.
  In particular, I want to recognize the leadership of the Children's 
Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana. Executive Director Sarah 
Brichto and forensic interviewer Stephanie Back, both founding members 
of the Center, provide daily leadership and execution of the program's 
goals. I also want to extend special recognition for the vision of the 
Center to Board of Directors President Aaron Negangard and fellow board 
members Tom Baxter, Chad Lewis, Monica Hensley, Richard Hertel, 
Jennifer Tackitt, and Barbara Bowling. Their influential contribution 
to our local communities is truly inspirational.
  I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in 
congratulating the Children's Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana 
for their continued leadership in developing safer communities for all 
Hoosier children.

                          ____________________