Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: “this evening, many of my colleagues, with the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), who will be our leader…”

“this evening, many of my colleagues, with the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), who will be our leader, will be rising tonight on the floor to speak in strong support of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Violence against women is a horrific epidemic that continues to plague our world; and as a wife, as a mother, and a female Member of Congress, I realize the profound responsibility that all of us have to work together with our colleagues to pass legislation that would speak to the very heart of each and every woman. As a result, thanks to the leadership of the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), we have consistently supported legislation that protects women from the grave attacks on human rights that they face. {time} 1945 It is vital to understand that to promote the welfare of women is also to support the subsistence of mankind. Domestic violence is not just a woman's issue. It is a national issue that demands our utmost attention and it demands to be a priority. Legislation passed in 1994 and reauthorized in the year 2000 will expire on September 30 of this year, crippling the fight to protect women from domestic abuse. The programs funded by the Violence Against Women Act have had a profound impact on many women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Sexual violence in our colleges and universities has reached epidemic proportions.…”