Jim Costa: “Thank you, Congressman Al Green and Judge Ted Poe, for organizing this Special Order to recognize the National Domestic…”

“Thank you, Congressman Al Green and Judge Ted Poe, for organizing this Special Order to recognize the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While I think I speak on behalf of all of us that we wish such a month were not necessary to commemorate, it is important that we educate not only our colleagues but Americans on the tremendous challenges and difficulties facing Americans who are dealing every day with domestic violence. Today, all of us stand up for the victims of those heinous crimes, victims who too often suffer under the shadows. In Fresno just last week, I visited Central California Legal Services to announce a $500,000 grant that is to focus on victims of domestic violence in the San Joaquin Valley. What I saw and what I heard is, sadly, a reminder of what continues to occur throughout the country as I've worked with these folks for many years. There is an added burden today with the tough economic times that we're living in that has strained families because unemployment is higher than it should be. Unstable economic conditions oftentimes mean higher stress and more incidences of domestic violence. At the same time, we are reducing the kind of support at the Federal and State levels to provide for organizations that help these victims of crime.…”