Edolphus Towns

The Public Record

Quotes by year · 1994–2012208 total · peak 2010 (34)

★ Featured Quote

December 13, 2012

First of all, I would like to thank the Members who worked very hard to make this a reality, and I want to take the opportunity to applaud the leadership and its commitment to the Members of Congress who have worked so…

— Edolphus Towns

Most widely reported

by number of sources

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1104, commemorating National Crime Victims' Rights Week and its theme, ``Fairness. Dignity. Respect.'' I would also like to reflect upon a topic that is of deep concern to me: violence against women. Domestic violence has a profound psychological impact on victims and survivors. There has been a 35 percent increase in domestic violence shelter bed use since 2002. Increased shelter utilization is evidence of the displacement and psychological havoc that domestic violence wreaks on families. We must put a stop to this. Nationally, one-half to two-thirds of residents in domestic violence shelters are children. In fact, on one day in 2007, 13,485 children were living in a domestic violence shelter or in a transitional housing facility. Another 5,526 sought services within nonresidential programs. Children who experience or who witness domestic violence are more likely to become abusers or victims, themselves. Beyond the home, violence in the form of sexual assault carries with it similar lasting psychological and sociological effects. According to data provided by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, 60 percent of cases are never even reported to the police. We know that one in six women and one in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes, with college-aged women four times more likely to be sexually assaulted.3 sources2010govinfo.gov
I rise in support of H. Res. 1328, a resolution honoring the life and legacy of William ``Ernie'' Harwell. Mr. Harwell, an iconic and beloved sportscaster for the Detroit Tigers, passed away on May 4, 2010, at the age of 92. During his 55-year career, he delivered the play-by-play for more than 8,500 Major League Baseball games, spending more than 40 of those years calling games for the Tigers. He became known as the ``voice of the Tigers'' due to his colorful style of commentary. A player called out on a third strike was, he would say, ``called out for excessive window shopping.'' A double play was ``two for the price of one.'' He finally retired from broadcasting in 2002 while he was still in good health, saying he discussed it with his wife and that ``it's better to leave too early than too late.'' Mr. Harwell's love of baseball was also expressed in writings and song. In 1955, he wrote, ``The Game for All America,'' an essay celebrating Americans' love affair with baseball. Mr. Harwell wrote dozens of songs, including one for Hank Aaron when he broke Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974.2 sources2010govinfo.gov

Dec 13, 2012

Let me just say, too, that you're right, this is probably my final bill, and it has been great serving here in this Congress for 30 years. You've taught me a lot, too, and let me just tell you the latest thing that you taught me. We were…

govinfo.gov

Nov 28, 2012

The Honorable Edolphus Towns, a Member of Congress from the State of New York, Opening Statement

congress.gov

Jul 19, 2012

I come to the floor today to recognize Reverend Jacob N. Underwood, the founder of the Grace Baptist Church in east New York's section of Brooklyn. He is a very unusual person and has done some great things. For instance, when the people…

govinfo.gov

Feb 8, 2012

Recently I met Jill Wood from my district in Brooklyn. I was very moved by this meeting as she described the struggles of her son, who is diagnosed with a rare genetic disease known as Sanfilippo syndrome. Before we met, I was not familiar…

govinfo.gov

Dec 20, 2011

I thank my colleague and friend for yielding. I rise because I believe we have lost sight of why we are here. I want to remind my colleagues that we are here to represent the American people. We are here to ensure that as many as possible…

govinfo.gov

Nov 15, 2011

when I walk the streets in my district and I listen to the people that are losing their homes, and then you look at these salaries, one would say, wait a minute, why don't we take these salaries and save a whole block.

congress.gov

Nov 3, 2011

I am proud to stand with President Obama, who included this in his jobs proposal because of the opportunity it offers to assist with deficit reduction, something that we all are concerned about.

congress.gov

Sep 8, 2011

As the ranks of the unemployed continue to swell, all eyes have been focused on the plight of the middle-income working Americans. Many of their fortunes have changed dramatically for the worse. Many have lost their homes to foreclosure…

govinfo.gov

Jul 30, 2011

I received a call yesterday from a senior citizen in my district that disturbed me greatly. It tore at my heart to hear the fear in her voice as she begged me to do all that I can to protect senior citizens, and I assured her that I would…

govinfo.gov

Jul 26, 2011

This is a sad day in America. There are people who have to choose between paying their bills and eating a decent meal. All I hear is that we have a spending problem. ``We have a spending problem. We have a spending problem.'' I want to be…

govinfo.gov

Jul 21, 2011

Let me just sort of set the record straight and explain things. When President Obama came into office, we were in debt, and we were also involved in two wars. And when President Clinton left office, there was a surplus. So we need to make…

govinfo.gov