Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I am very honored to be here in a bipartisan manner to talk about a subject that we can all agree on, which is that freedom from sexual assault is a basic human right. It is not to be tolerated in any corner of society. And the issue is not talked about enough, so I am glad we are bringing it up today. I want to focus today on sexual assault that is taking place at an alarming rate in a place that we would not expect, and that is it in our military. {time} 1600 The reports of sexual assault in the military are mind-boggling. The Defense Department estimated that there were 26,000 sexual assaults in 2012. Those numbers are shocking, but this isn't just about statistics. It is about real people. I want to share a story about one of my constituents. Elisha Morrow joined the Coast Guard at age 22. She started boot camp with so much pride and hope. She joined the Coast Guard because she believed deeply in their mission to save lives, which they do every day. Her hope turned to humiliation and sorrow as her company commander sexually harassed her with innuendos and advancements night after night. The commander became even more emboldened and eventually raped the female recruit. Shockingly, the commander was convicted of lesser charges of cruelty and maltreatment and adultery and not rape because the victim could not prove that her life wasn't under physical threat and that she didn't fear for her life. She had committed to his sexual advances under command.…”