Pete Sessions: “I want to thank the distinguished gentleman, who spent his career not only as a sheriff, but a duly- elected…”

“I want to thank the distinguished gentleman, who spent his career not only as a sheriff, but a duly- elected constitutional Member in Florida, but also to the distinguished gentlewoman from Houston, Texas, who has served as an attorney serving the people of Houston, Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to make sure that as we respectfully address this issue, H. Con. Res. 72, which urges States to look at improved family court proceedings of child custody cases, ensuring that child safety is a top priority, it makes clear that Congress will use its oversight authority to engage in this issue also. We do not come at this issue lightly, Mr. Speaker. As a matter of fact, the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project has provided a great deal of information, not only to Members of Congress, but by visiting the Members, making sure that they understand that their work with the Center for Judicial Excellence and the Protective Parents Association of California have made sure that they saw these issues clearly and talked to Members of Congress about our ideas, not only as we fund Federal programs, but as we understand in our discussions with States that we prioritize and help them look at what is, seemingly, a national crisis. This national crisis is about how our children are dealt with in the court system and looked at.…”