House Proceeding 04-28-09 on Apr 28th, 2009 :: 2:39:50 to 2:59:50
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2:34:05 to 2:39:50( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jim Costa

2:39:44 to 2:39:51( Edit History Discussion )

Jim Costa: victims' caucus. i want to thank those who support this resolution, h.r. 109, and i yield back the balance of my time and

2:39:52 to 2:40:12( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: encourage all my colleagues to support this important legislation we will pursue in the 111th congress. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. poe: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. poe: i want to thank the

2:39:55 to 2:41:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Ted Poe

2:40:13 to 2:40:33( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: gentleman from virginia for leading this resolution but i do want to thank the gentleman from california, mr. costa, for not only sponsoring this legislation but for his hard work nationally on victims' rights and the movement he little rally started the victims' rights movement in california, the state that we owe a lot to for the victims' rights movement when he was in the state legislature there in

2:40:34 to 2:40:55( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: california. he's brought his passion to help victims of crime to the united states congress and we're all better for that. last week, in honor of national crime victims' rights week, the victims' rigs caucus, as mr. costa mentioned, had several preliminary events.

2:40:56 to 2:41:10( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: one was the awards ceremony. we joined other members of the house, mr. shadegg from arizona, mr. yarmuth from kentucky, mr. reicher from washington, in honoring six

2:41:11 to 2:41:32( Edit History Discussion )

Bart Stupak: outstanding advocates and programs. i'd like unanimous consent to put the names and awards of these recipients into the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. poe: i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from virginia is recognized. mr. scott: i yield such time as he may consume to a strong

2:41:15 to 2:43:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bart Stupak

2:41:33 to 2:41:53( Edit History Discussion )

Bart Stupak: supporter of victims, the gentleman from michigan, mr. stupak. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. stupak: i thank you and i thank the gentleman for yielding. i'd like to thank my colleague, mr. costa, for introducing this legislation. as a former michigan police officer and michigan state trooper and as an attorney, i saw every day the effect of crime on our citizens.

2:41:54 to 2:42:14( Edit History Discussion )

Bart Stupak: it leaves victims feeling unsafe in their own communities and as a rule herbal -- vulnerable to the law enforcement procedures. there's another part to the equation than law enforcement. the victim of crime must be provided with assistance to

2:42:15 to 2:42:35( Edit History Discussion )

Bart Stupak: recover from this often traumatic experience. our law enforcement agencies work with the court system to ensure that victims of crime are treated fairly and with respect to one's dignity and privacy. we must step up to the plate and show our strong commitment to the criminal justice system by ensuring victims of crime feel safe in their own

2:42:36 to 2:42:58( Edit History Discussion )

Bart Stupak: communities. the creation of the national crime victims' rights week is a good first step to increase awareness of the victims' rights. congress suld go further to make sure there are laws in place to protect the rights of victims.

2:42:59 to 2:43:11( Edit History Discussion )

Bart Stupak: i hope you will join me in ensuring our constitution explicitly supports the rights of victims of crime. i urge my colleagues to vote in favor of house resolution 109, to create the national crime

2:43:12 to 2:43:33( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: victims' rights week in 2009 and to recognize the 25th anniversary of the crime act of 1984. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. poe: it's because of the pioneering efforts of many, including president reagan and his 1982 task force on victims

2:43:15 to 2:43:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Ted Poe

2:43:34 to 2:43:41( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: of crime, we are able to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the victims of crime act. we must remember that the same constitution that protects the

2:43:42 to 2:44:01( Edit History Discussion )

Robert C. Scott: rights of offenders prork tects the rights of victims of crime in this country as well. i urge my colleague to join me in supporting this resolution and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas yields back. the gentleman from virginia is recognized. mr. scott: i want to thank the gentleman from california, the

2:43:45 to 2:44:00( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Robert C. Scott

2:44:02 to 2:44:23( Edit History Discussion )

Henry Cuellar: gentleman from texas, as well as the gentleman from michigan for th victims of crime. i urge my colleagues to support the resolution. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 109. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no.

2:44:05 to 2:44:55( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Henry Cuellar

2:44:24 to 2:44:46( Edit History Discussion )

Henry Cuellar: in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended and the resolution is agreed to and without objection -- mr. scott: i object to the vote on the grounds a quorum is not present and make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 and the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this resolution

2:44:47 to 2:44:55( Edit History Discussion )

Henry Cuellar: will be postponed. for what ppose does the gentleman from virginia rise? mr. scott: mr. speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass house concurrent resolution 104.

2:44:56 to 2:45:16( Edit History Discussion )

Robert C. Scott: the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the concurre resolution. the clerk: house concurrent resolution 104, concurrent resolution supporting the and ideals of national sexual assault awareness and prevpblgs month. . the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule the gentleman from virginia, mr. scott, and the gentleman from texas, mr. poe, each will control 20 minutes.

2:45:15 to 2:46:55( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Robert C. Scott

2:45:17 to 2:45:37( Edit History Discussion )

Robert C. Scott: the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia. mr. scott: thank you, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. scott: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. scott: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, first i want to thank the gentlelady from wisconsin, ms. baldwin, as well as the gentleman from texas, mr.

2:45:38 to 2:45:59( Edit History Discussion )

Robert C. Scott: e, for introducing this important resolution. i rise in support to acknowledge the impact sexual assault has on its victims and promote education about and prevention of sexual assault. this resolution highlights the immense problem of sexual asult in the united stes. a person is sexually assaulted in the united states every 2 1/2 minutes.

2:46:00 to 2:46:21( Edit History Discussion )

Robert C. Scott: almost 18 million women, one in six, have been victims of rape or attempted rape. and almost three million men, e in 33, have also been victims. sexual assault also harms the society. medical expenses, lost productivity, treatment of psychological trauma and pain and suffering cost victims

2:46:22 to 2:46:42( Edit History Discussion )

Robert C. Scott: roughly $127 billion per year. it can also lead to long-term health problems such as chronic pain and headaches and stomach problems and sexually transmitted leave victims with emotional issues which can lead to depression and even suicide. designating april to be sexual assault awareness and prevention month is an important step in recognizing the problem.

2:46:43 to 2:46:55( Edit History Discussion )

Robert C. Scott: highlighting and fusing on this issue gives us the opportunity to educate the public and allows us to praise the survivors as well as the volunteers and professionals who have dedicated their lives to combating sexual assault.

2:46:56 to 2:47:17( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: i urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and reserve balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. for what purpose does the -- the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. poe: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. poe: i'm pleased to join my judiciary committee colleague, the gentlelady from wisconsin, miss ball win, as an original sponsor on this resolution.

2:47:00 to 2:50:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Ted Poe

2:47:18 to 2:47:38( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: i want to thank her for her efforts in presenting th to congress. i would like to thank her for reintroducing house concurrent resoluti 104 to recognize april as national sexual assault every 2 1/2 23456 minutes a person is sexually assaulted in the united states. sadly one i six women and one in 33 men have been victims of

2:47:39 to 2:48:00( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: rape or attempted rape. 2/3 of these assaults are committed by someone that is known by the victim. yet only about 40% ever sexual assaults are ever reported to law enforcement authorities. sexual assault awareness month attempts to change these statistics by promoting education programs, vtims support services, advances in

2:48:01 to 2:48:22( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: d.n.a. and forensic technology, and aggressive prosecution, incarceration of sexual assault offenders. national sexual assault awareness and prevention month helps to educate the public about sexual assault in our communities and long-term effects it has on its victims. it also recognizes the work of staff and volunteers that rape cris centers and other community organizations across

2:48:23 to 2:48:44( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: the country that provide counseling and victims support services to sexual assault survivors. with education and community support, it is my hope that more victims will pursue prosecution of their attackers by reporting their assaults to law enforcement. once victims take this first critical step, it's up to lawmakers and law enforcement to ensure these violent offenders

2:48:45 to 2:49:06( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: are put away. last congress both the house and senate passed h.r. 5057, re-authorizing the identity smith d.n.a. backlog program. the legislation was then signed into law on october 8, 2008. the debbie smith program originally authorized in 2000 awards grants to state and local governments to reduce the d.n.a.

2:49:07 to 2:49:27( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: backlogs of samples direct collect interested crime scenes and backlog for entry into the national d.n.a. data base. through these grants, state and local governments receive funding to test approximately 104,000 d.n.a. cases between 2004 and 2007. these grants have also funded the collection of 2.5 million

2:49:28 to 2:49:48( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: d.n.a. samples from convicted offenders and arrestees for inclusion in the national d.n.a. data base. the department of justice estimates that over 5,000 hits or matches are a result of this d.n.a. backlog reduction. this is a positive step forward, but we must continue our efforts to reduce the d.n.a. backlog to provide justice for sexual assault victims own put their

2:49:49 to 2:50:09( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: attackers behind bars. i urge my colleagues to support this resolution and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from virginia. mr. scott: i have no other requests for time. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from tas. mr. poe: mr. speaker n. this sterile environment of of

2:50:10 to 2:50:30( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: congress, sometimes we forget that sexual assault is a crime that is committed against people inhis country, a crime that most of them never really get over. my experience as a prosecutor and judge for 22 years came in contact with numerous sexual assault victims. some of which never could quite handle and cope with the fact

2:50:31 to 2:50:46( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: that ty had been a victim of a crime, especially this crime. because you see when the offender commits a sexual assat against someone else, that offender is trying to steal the very soul of that victim. and sometimes victims cannot

2:50:47 to 2:51:08( Edit History Discussion )

Henry Cuellar: recover from that, emotionally or physically. that is why this legislation is important. and that we as members of congress do our duty and be the advocates for those victims that have silence voices throughout this country. with that i yield back the remainder of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from virginia. mr. scott: thank you, mr. speaker. i want to thank the gentleman

2:50:50 to 2:52:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Henry Cuellar

2:51:09 to 2:51:30( Edit History Discussion )

Henry Cuellar: from texas as well as the chief sponsor of the resolution, the gentlelady from wisconsin, ms. baldwin, for their hard work on the issue of sexual assault. i urge my colleagues to support the resolution and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from virginia yields back the balance of his time. the question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to house concurrent resolution number 104.

2:51:31 to 2:51:49( Edit History Discussion )

Henry Cuellar: so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting havingesponded in the affmave, the rules are suspended, the concurrent resolution is agreed to, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the