On the recordMay 25, 2017
I thank Mr. O'Halleran for yielding and for his leadership on this important issue. Sexual abuse is abhorrent. It is particularly abhorrent when it is conducted by an individual in a position of authority: a coach, a trainer, a teacher. The community of Mesa, Arizona, which Mr. Biggs and I represent, was rocked by a tragic event in which a young athlete was abused for at least 3 years before receiving help. Had he or other young athletes experiencing similar nightmares had access to resources and support, perhaps the nightmare could have ended sooner, perhaps it could have been prevented. Our bipartisan amendment is simple. It builds on a very good bipartisan bill by requiring governing bodies to list dedicated information and resources for victims and families on official websites. No individual should suffer from sexual abuse. No family should go without support when they are in need. I thank the two gentlemen, my friends from Arizona, Mr. O'Halleran and Mr. Biggs, for cosponsoring this amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on our amendment and to support the underlying bill.
