Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 2119--the Family Violence Prevention and Service Improvement Act.

This bill heavily invests in resources and programs to protect and support women like Gladys Ricart, a 39-year-old-woman and former constituent of mine who was killed by her ex-boyfriend on her wedding day.

After years of physical and mental abuse, she left him to move on with her life, even as he continued to threaten and stalk her.

As she moved on, she met her soulmate, and was happy and eager to marry the man of her dreams.

What should have been one of the happiest days of her life, was instead her last. Her ex-abuser fatally shot Gladys on her wedding day. But her legacy lives on and in 2001, the Brides March was created to remember Gladys Ricart and to bring awareness to domestic violence.

Heartbreakingly, Gladys' story is not isolated or unique.

By passing the Family Violence Prevention and Service Improvement Act, we also have an opportunity to honor her memory--her and the hundreds of thousands of women who have stories just like Gladys'.

This crucial legislation would put millions of dollars towards expanding support for culturally specific domestic violence programs, investing in community-based prevention initiatives, and creating an underserved population grant program.

These resources would help to connect people to advocates and help them safely navigate life during and after leaving an abusive relationship.

And as I think of all the resources this legislation will make available, I think of Gladys and the hundreds of women who march on her behalf.

I think about the one in three woman, particularly black and trans women, who will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. I think of the irreputable, lasting harm domestic violence causes families and children.

I think about all these lives that will be catastrophically changed or lost and I know that they deserved more.

As we prepare to vote, I implore everyone to think of all the good the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act will do for all survivors.

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