[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 233]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO SARAH KENNEY

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, when Sarah Kenney decided to volunteer with 
the Women's Rape Crisis Center in Burlington, VT, in 1997, she may not 
have realized just how that experience would shape nearly two decades 
of her life. There, in cramped offices furnished with old futons, she 
recalls, ``I fell in love with the passion of the place.''
  That passion led Sarah to the Vermont Network Against Domestic and 
Sexual Violence, where she has spent the past 13 years advocating to 
end such violence and to raise public awareness about the abhorrent 
crimes that account for roughly half of all homicides in Vermont in any 
given year.
  Over the years, Sarah has been a trusted and valuable partner in my 
work to strengthen support for survivors of domestic and sexual 
violence, including the successful reauthorization and expansion of the 
Violence Against Women Act so that it better protects all survivors. 
Her understanding of the legislative process, combined with her ability 
to work with all sides, have been the hallmark of her effective 
advocacy. Sarah has also spent much time at the Vermont State House, 
testifying on legislation to strengthen protections against victims of 
crime across our State.
  Sarah will be leaving her post as the Vermont Network's Associate 
Director of Public Policy this month, to take on a new advocacy role as 
Deputy Director at Let's Grow Kids in Burlington, where she will use 
her tremendous skills on behalf of bettering children's lives.
  I am proud to note that Sarah holds a bachelor's degree in political 
science from my alma mater, St. Michael's College. Her contributions 
are too many to list here, but her work in shaping policy has 
undoubtedly resulted in stronger protections for women and families in 
Vermont and across the Nation. In my 40 years in the U.S. Senate, I 
have worked with many advocates who are passionate about the work they 
do. I can say that Sarah's passion and commitment make her one of the 
best. She is superbly effective in turning advocacy into action.
  In Vermont, we are fortunate to have an organization such as the 
Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and even more 
fortunate to have someone of Sarah's talents advocating on behalf of 
victims. It has been an honor to work with someone whose commitment to 
a cause is so distilled and focused. The Vermont Network will miss 
Sarah's many talents, but Vermont's children have just gained a 
passionate advocate.
  I wish Sarah and her family all the best in her new role.

                          ____________________