On the recordApril 9, 2014
This month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Pat Tuthill of Tallahassee, Florida, lost her 23-year-old daughter, Peyton, on February 24, 1999. Peyton was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered by a convicted criminal on unsupervised probation. Three months after her daughter's death and through her own pain, she was determined to get better, not bitter. Ms. Tuthill quit her job and became a public speaker and an advocate for victims of violent crime. She has traveled the country, lobbying policymakers to support legislation that strengthens the monitoring and supervision of criminals on parole and probation. Last year, Ms. Tuthill's dream became a reality with the implementation of the first National Automated Standardized Victim Notification system. I had the honor of meeting with Ms. Tuthill this morning in my office in order to congratulate her on receiving the Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award in recognition of her efforts by the Department of Justice. As a father of four daughters, I thank her for her tireless effort. I thank Ms. Tuthill for her courage and for her service to others. I can think of no one who is more deserving of this award. ____________________
