Time to Reauthorize FVPSA

Floor Speech

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Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Thompson for this Special Order but, even more importantly, for sponsoring this legislation and giving many of us the opportunity to join with him because, indeed, this is not simply a piece of legislation that changes lives and saves lives, as it does, but it also changes history--the history of individuals, the history of families we trust, and the history of communities and this country--by doing the right thing.

This Special Order on the importance of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act takes this from just simple legislation and the effort that goes there and puts human faces on it, and so I thank the gentleman for that.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of this vital legislation that, for over 30 years, has been protecting and seeking justice for victims of domestic violence, especially women and children, though also for men and parents who are caught in a trap that, sadly, too often takes place within a so-called family situation.

FVPSA was the first Federal law to address domestic violence; and since the law was enacted in 1984, it has continued to focus on providing shelter and services for survivors and children exposed to domestic violence.

Every year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence conducts its annual census, which provides snapshot of domestic violence services provided nationwide during a 24-hour period. Last year, the survey found that, in Michigan, my home State, on just 1 day, 2,359 Michigan residents were given shelter or provided services through a domestic violence program. These are lives. 2,359 lives were touched with this program. This included over 1,600 victims finding refuge at a shelter or temporary housing arrangement, and over 400 calls to the Michigan Domestic Violence Hotline.

I have had the opportunity to visit the SIREN/Eaton Shelter, which provides indispensable services to the community surrounding Charlotte, Michigan. The mission of SIREN/Eaton Shelter is to promote the elimination of domestic violence and homelessness by providing temporary housing, support, advocacy, education, counseling, and information to victims and the community.

Whenever a victim reaches out for help, it is vitally important that they have access to safe refuge, the support services they need to protect themselves and their family, and hold their abusers accountable.

Congress plays an important role in protecting victims of domestic violence as well as children who are the victims of abuse. This important legislation helps keep the lights on at domestic violence shelters across the country so they can continue their efforts to break the cycle of abuse for generations to come and, ultimately, change history.

Mr. Speaker, a thank-you again to Representative Thompson for sponsoring this bill and giving us the opportunity to join with him, and also for holding this Special Order tonight to put faces, connect faces and lives to legislation that can make a difference.

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