On the recordDecember 7, 2011
I thank the chairman. It has been my honor and pleasure to work in a bipartisan fashion on this legislation that seeks to address the great challenge of military sexual trauma. I think that we have incorporated into the House version of the bill some very significant reforms that will help to protect victims, unfortunate victims of this great affront to young people serving in our military; will seek to better protect them as they seek to bring to justice the perpetrators; will better train those who are put in a place designed and created--these are positions created to help victims deal with this tremendous trauma, seek out appropriate legal remedies and do it in a way that does not further victimize the victim. Does that mean there is not always going to be additional work to do? Absolutely, always; otherwise, we would all be out of a job if we didn't have to simply come back and revisit and revisit and revisit these issues. But I want to make it very clear that this has been a great bipartisan effort. I'm very thankful for the support we have received. The military has made tremendous efforts. But obviously we would not be here today discussing this if there were still not a long way to go. I appreciate the fact that this has been recognized on both sides of the aisle, and I thank you for allowing me to reclaim my time. I will now yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from California, Congresswoman Speier.
