Adriano Espaillat: “Yesterday I was joined by many of our colleagues to echo the pleas of over 100 women who came dressed as brides here to…”

“Yesterday I was joined by many of our colleagues to echo the pleas of over 100 women who came dressed as brides here to D.C. to put a face on the brutal murder of Gladys Ricart, a victim of domestic violence who was killed in 1999. Yesterday I said that I was Gladys Ricart and that we were all Gladys Ricart. While this was happening, Mr. Speaker, I am distressed to inform you that a woman in my district in Inwood was fatally stabbed to death and beaten with a dumbbell by her long-time boyfriend. Police officers found Claudina Cruz dead, with multiple stab wounds to the torso and head trauma. She is also Gladys Ricart. We are all Gladys Ricart. I ask my colleagues to join me in denouncing domestic violence for Gladys, Claudina, and every victim of domestic violence across the country. Congress must reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act when it comes before us next year. ____________________”