1. Congressman Ted Poe -Staffer: Stephanie Garlock

2. Congresswoman Katherine Harris -Staffer: Ashley Stow

3. Congressman Jim Costa -Staffer: Cari Simon

4. Congressman John Shadegg -Staffer: Natalie Farr

5. Staffer: Sarah Lochner -For Congressman Dennis Moore.

Victim Individuals and Organizations:

1.Anne Seymour and David Beatty-Justice Solutions

2. Steve Derene-NAVAA

3. Allison Randall-NNEDV

4. Jill Morris-NCADV

5. Beth Rorick and Ashley Musselman-MADD

4. Gail Burns-Smith-NAESV

5. Delilah Rumberg-PCAR

6. Carol Lavery-NOVA

7. Larry Tackman-NMCVRC

8. Mary Lou Leary and Susan Howley-NCVC

9. Connie Clery and Daniel Carter-Security on Campus, Inc.

10. Amy Woodman-NCA

11. Evelyn Fortier-RAINN

12. Melissa Hook-VALOR

13. Dan Eddy-NACVCB

14. Stacie Rumenap-Stop Child Predators

2006 ISSUES*

H.R. 864 - STOP Underage Drinking Act -Today (Nov. 14,2006), Congressman Poe, all the Members of the VRC, and an overwhelming majority of the House, voted in favor of H.R. 864, Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act, which authorizes $72 million over the next 4 years to fight underage drinking. This bill continues the Ad Council’s national media public service announcements against underage drinking and authorizes a new grant program which would direct award grants to states, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit entities to prevent and reduce the rate of underage alcohol consumption and binge drinking among students at institutes of higher learning.

H.R. 864 was introduced by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and had 85 co-sponsors. VRC Members who signed on: Congressman Poe, Congressman Reichert, Congressman Moore, Congressman Fitzpatrick, and Congresswoman Jackson-Lee (All the Members of the VRC voted in favor of this bill)

H.R. 864

SASP Full Funding Letter to OMB Director Rob Portman
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White House Proclamation-On September 29, 2006, at the behest of the VRC and National Domestic Violence Advocacy Organizations, President George W. Bush issued a Proclamation declaring October 2006 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Domestic violence has no place in our society, and we have a moral obligation to help prevent it. The terrible tragedies that result from it destroy lives and insult the dignity of women, men, and children. National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to underscore our commitment to bringing an end to violence in the home.

A home should be a place of stability, comfort, and love. Domestic violence shatters this important foundation. My Administration is strongly committed to addressing domestic violence and helping those who have been victimized. In January, I was proud to sign legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. Since I announced the Family Justice Center Initiative in 2003, we have opened 11 Family Justice Centers across the country. These centers offer services to victims and their families, including legal advice, counseling, and support. In addition, we are continuing to work with faith-based and community organiza tions to provide training, expertise, and funding to help deliver hope and healing to those who need it most.

During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and throughout the year, we are grateful for the advocates, counselors, and others who provide care to those affected by these acts of cruelty and for the law enforcement personnel and others who work to bring offenders to justice. We extend our compassion to the victims of domestic violence and urge them to seek assistance through local Family Justice Centers, faith-based and community organizations, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 800-799-SAFE. By working together, we can build an America where every home honors the value and dignity of its loved ones.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2006 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to reach out to victims and help end domestic violence.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # # {As displayed on The White House website-Office of the Press Secretary}

View the Proclamation on The White House website
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H. Res. 944 - Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month -Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02), with original co-sponsors Congressman Costa, Congresswoman Harris, Congressman Moore, Congressman Ortiz, Congresswoman Hart, and Congressman Holden, introduced House Resolution 944, which supports October as National Domestic Violence Month. Also, Congressman Poe has sent a request to President Bush, asking him to issue a proclamation designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

H. Res. 944 Text

Cosponsors: Dave Reichert, Michael McCaul, Thaddeus McCotter, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Michael Fitzpatrick, Thomas Allen, Carolyn Maloney, Ellen O. Tauscher, Tim Ryan, Jeff Fortenberry, Barbara Lee, Betty McCollum, Susan Davis, Judy Biggert, Mark Steve Kirk, Carolyn McCarthy, Emanuel Cleaver, David Scott, Christopher Shays, Daniel Lipinski, Pete Stark, Doris Matusi, Al Green, Ruben Hinojosa, Tim Murphy, Edward Markey, Sherrod Brown, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Adam Smith, Patrick Kennedy, Sanford Bishop, Sue Kelly, Mark Green, Lee Terry, Ron Kind, Earl Pomeroy, Earl Blumenauer, Rush Holt, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Martin Meehan, Michael Honda, Howard Berman, Phil English, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Charles Rangel, Charles W. Dent, Jim Moran, Don Young, Jim Ramstad, Rob Simmons, Ginny Brown-Waite, Gene Green, Shelley Berkley, David Price, Jerry Costello, Dennis Cardoza, Julia Carson, Thelma Drake, Leonard Boswell, Henry Waxman, Raul Grijalva, Charles Gonzales, John Conyers, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Dale Kildee, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Stephanie Herseth, Steve Chabot, Norman Dicks, Jon Porter, Brad Miller, Bob Filner, Donald Manzullo, Diana DeGette, Hilda Solis, Michael Capuano

*Bold denotes VRC Members*
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PUBLIC LAW 109-248 - The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 - On Thursday (July 27th), President Bush signed into law monumental legislation for the protection of children, at a ceremony in the Rose Garden. H.R. 4472-The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 had been passed by both the Houe and the Senate in the previous days and just awaited the President's signature. This law creates a national sex offender database, increases penalties for sex offenders, toughens the monitoring restrictions upon release, and creates new programs to educate parents and child on child sexual abuse. This law is now the most comprehensive law in history in combating sexual predators.


President Bush signing
the Adam Walsh Act into law.
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FY '08 VAWA Budget Request-The Victim's Rights Caucus and the Women's Caucus circulated a letter recently around the House of Represenatives gaining support for the FY '08 VAWA Budget. The letter was then sent to Attorney General Gonzales and Secretay Mike Levin, Department of Health and Human Services, asking for various programs, within VAWA, to be considered for funding during the FY '08 funding considersations. DOJ and DHHS will be, within the next several months, beginning to considering funding levels for FY '08. Overall, 167 Members of Congress signed on in support.

View final copy of VAWA Letter

List of Congressional co-signers

Response letter from DOJ
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Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funding - LATEST NEWS - Congressman Poe engaged in a colloquy with SSJC subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf regarding the VOCA Fund and the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve. The Chairman agreed that the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve would not be counted against the $625 million VOCA cap, thereby not reducing the amount of money victims' programs and compensation would receive.

The VOCA Fund Letter to the House Appropriations Committee was delievered on Tuesday, May 2, 2006. There were 111 Members who signed on in support of saving the VOCA Fund.

Final 2006 VOCA Letter with signatures

Signatures in Microsoft Word

There were several members who were unable to officially sign on to the VOCA letter; however, fully support the Fund: Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06); Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-16); and Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04).

A staff briefing was held to educate Members' staffers on the importance of the VOCA Fund---Information about the Briefing is located in the Events Section.

History of saving the VOCA Fund

Congressional Victim's Rights Caucus co-founders, Ted Poe (TX-02), Katherine Harris (FL-13), and Jim Costa (CA-20) and Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues co-chairs Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05), Hilda Solis (CA-32), and vice co-chair Lois Capps (CA-23) cosponsered a Dear Colleague and a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis, and Ranking Member, David Obey, calling for protection of VOCA during the appropriations process. The Dear Colleague and the letter are currently circulating the House, requesting Member support. You can view both documents here. You can also view a statement by Congressman Poe and a statement by Congressman Costa.

Read Congressman Poe's 5 minute VOCA speech (given February 15, 2006) on the House Floor

Last year, the Victim's Rights Caucus successfully led the fight to save VOCA funding in the FY2006 budget.

Backgrounder

OMB Myths vs. Reality

FY 2006 Copy of letter to Appropriation Committee Chairmen and Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Jerry Lewis and Rep. Frank Wolf; text of letter; list of 91 cosigners

Dear Colleague
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H. Res. 889 - Supporting the National Sexual Assault Hotline and commending the Hotline for counseling and supporting 1,000,000 callers-Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08), with original co-sponsors Congressman Ted Poe, Congressman Jim Costa, and Congressman Ted Strickland, introduced a resolution to honor the National Sexual Assault Hotline and RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) for taking 1 million calls.

H.Res. 889 Bill Text
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H. R. 5673 - Criminal Restitution Improvement Act of 2006-Congressman Steve Chabot (OH-01), with original cosponsor Congressman Ted Poe, has introduced a bill that will make restitution mandatory in all federal crime. The bill also simplies the procedures for collecting restitution and institutes plans to collect restitution if the defendant is unwilling or unable to pay.

H.R. 5673 Bill Text
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HR 4381 - Don't Give Sex Offenders a Safe Harbor - Congressman Poe and Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite sponsor HR 4381; it addresses the lack of cooperation between FEMA and the states when sex predators slipped into communities post hurricanes. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Children's Alliance have lent their support for H.R. 4381.

Current Co-sponsors: Dan Burton, Mark Kennedy, Debbie Wasserman Schlutz, Gene Green, James Sensenbrenner, Ben Chandler, Michael McCaul, Thaddeus McCotter, Tom Cole, Shelia Jackson-Lee, Solomon P. Ortiz, Sue Kelly, Peter King, Charles Boustany, Walter Jones, Michael Burgess, Sue Myrick, Paul Gilmor, Mario Diaz-Balart, Rodney Alexander, Katherine Harris, Jeff Miller, Richard Baker, Michael Fitzpatrick, Donald Manzullo, Robert Wexler, Todd Russell Platts, Mark Green, C.A. "Dutch" Rupperberger, Emanual Cleaver, Melissa Hart, Jim McCrery.

Read Congressman Poe's 5/19/2006 Floor Speech

May 2006 Dear Colleague

Text of HR 4381

November 5th article, "FEMA slow to ID sex-offender evacuees"

November 11th article, "Sex offenders calling SE Texas home"

November 12th article, "Lack of offender listing faulted"
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H.R. 4894 - Congressman Poe and Congressman Reichert are co-sponsors of Congressman Porter's bill, allowing schools and education agencies to have access to national crime information databases for employment purposes.

H.R. 4894
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H.Res 800 - Promote Internet Safety and Protect Children From Online Predators - Congressman Poe and Congressman Reichert have joined the list of co-sponsors supporting H.Res. 800, introduced by Congressman Manzullo. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of a National Internet Safety Month to educate the communtiy on the dangers of online predators, as well as launching nationwide public service announcements.

H.Res. 800
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H.R. 5319 - Deleting Online Predators Act - Congressman Poe has become a co-sponsor to H.R. 5319, a bill introduced by Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick and Congressman Mark Kirk. This bill would require schools and libraries to monitor their internet activities and implement technology to block pornography, requires the FCC to issue consumer alerts to parents and educators as to the dangers of the internet, and requires the FCC to establish an advisory board to review and report on social networking chart sites.

H.R. 5319
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H.R. 4703 - Congressman Poe became a co-sponsor of a bill introduced by Congressman Phil Gingrey and Congressman John Tierney, which would provide meaningful civil remedies for victims of sexual exploitation of children.

H.R. 4703
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VAWA Funding - The chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues, as well as the co-chairs of the Congressional Victim's Rights Caucus, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging the full funding of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

VAWA letter to the Appropriations Committee
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H.R. 378 - On behalf of the Victim's Rights Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressman Poe and Congresswoman Harris, Congressman Costa introduced H.Res. 378-supporting the goals and ideals of the 2006 National Crime Victims' Rights Week and efforts to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of crime victims and survivors in the United States.

Read H. Res. 378

Congressman Costa's Press Release

Cosponsors: Sanford Bishop, Ed Case, Raul Grijalva, Melissa Hart, Tim Holden, Shelia Jackson-Lee, John McHugh, Solomon Ortiz, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Christopher Smith, Ginny Brown-Waite, Eni Faleomavaega, Ruben Hinojosa, Rush Holt, Michael McCaul, Dennis Moore, Donald Payne, David Reichert, John Shadegg, Ellen Tauscher
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H.Res. 222 - Congressman Shadegg, on behalf of himself and Congressman Chabot, introduced H.Res. 222, which supports the goals and ideals for a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. H.Res. 222 also honors the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc.

Read H.Res.222

Current co-sponsors: Ted Poe, Jim Costa, Katherine Harris, Dennis Moore, Frank Wolf, Ed Paster, Steven Rothman, Barbara Cubin, Phil English, Dale Kildee, Sherwood Boehlert, Rahm Emanuel, Raul Grijava, Melissa Hart, Michael McNulty, C.L. (Butch) Otter, Adam Smith
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SAVIN grants program- Congressman Poe and Congressman Reichert have signed on to a letter, written by Congresswoman Anne Northup to Chairman Wolf, on the House Appropriations Committee, requesting full funding for the Statewide Automated Victim Notification and Information (SAVIN) grants program. SAVIN provides information to victims regarding the status of their offenders, their release dates, and when they are moved to different facilities. In addition, SAVIN notifies victims when a protective order has been activated against their offender.

View a copy of the SAVIN grants program letter to the Appropriators

*Information posted here is for general information on victim's issues being debated in Congress. The Caucus does not necessarily endorse any particular piece of legislation or policy statement.*