Congresswoman Johnson Marks 20th Anniversary Of Violence Against Women Act

September 13, marks the 20th anniversary of President Bill Clinton signing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) into law. The landmark legislation created critical protections for victims of domestic violence and dramatically strengthened our nation's criminal justice response to violence against women. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement recognize the 20th anniversary of this historic legislation:

"As a member of the United States Congress, and more importantly as a woman, it is crucial to remember the positive ramifications of VAWA. Domestic and sexual violence are forms of abuse that have plagued communities both foreign and domestic. Women who fall victim to domestic and sexual violence should not feel ashamed of their situation.

By standing strong in support of Women's Rights, VAWA empowers victims by providing a voice for issues that have historically laid silent." said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson.  "We must continue to strengthen our response to these crimes and deepen our commitment to all survivors."

House Democrats are committed to continuing to strengthen domestic violence programs.  As part of the Middle Class Jumpstart, House Democrats will strengthen VAWA and make increased investments in shelters and other life-saving domestic violence services.

VAWA has been critical landmark legislation.  According to a statement issued by the White House, between 1993-2010 the rate of intimate partner violence has declined by 67%, in addition to increased reporting of domestic and sexual violence to the police since its passing.  VAWA has instituted stricter sentencing guidelines for repeat federal sex crime offenders and provides resources to tribal, local, and state law enforcement communities to address violent crimes against women.  In addition, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which responds to more than 22,000 urgent calls for help every month, was also created under this legislation. Overall these measures in addition to countless others will contribute to protecting the rights of women across the country for years to come." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Honors Those Lost On 9/11

“ It has been 13 years since the terrorist attacks of extremist organization, Al-Qaeda, plagued our great nation. From that day forward, our nation would be forever changed. Each year on 9/11, we mourn the more than 3,000 lives lost in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. Yet, amidst our sadness we remain strong. Despite the numerous attempts to shake our resolve, we remain resilient.

9/11 will always be remembered as the most heinous act of terrorism committed against the United States. During the aftermath Americans banded together by volunteering and assisting heroically in rescue attempts.  I am thankful for the sense of unity created amongst Americans. Whether affected directly or indirectly, we all mourned and offered support to survivors, forgetting even if for a moment our racial, gender, and socioeconomic differences, instead highlighting the humanity of the American people more than ever before.

Leaders across the country acted swiftly. They shared resources and Congress, through unprecedented legislative resolve, collaborated across party lines to develop bipartisan measures, some of which resulted in the death of terrorist Osama Bin Laden and ended large scale troop presence in both Iraq and Afghanistan. These measures contributed to the protection and safety of our nation.

As a Member of Congress, and more importantly as a U.S. citizen, it is my duty to remember and celebrate the memories of the lives lost on 9/11. Though, they are no longer with us, their legacy will continue now and in the future.  God Bless America.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson: Lessons From The Unrest And Tragedy In Ferguson

"The shooting of a young African American teenager, Michael Brown, by a white Ferguson, Missouri law enforcement officer last month pushed that St. Louis suburban area to the boiling point. Today it offers up many lessons for the rest of the country and an opportunity for change.

In the nights that followed the shooting, groups of protesters displayed frustration and anger. They were confronted by local police officers who were armed as if they were about to do battle with foreign terrorists, not American citizens engaged in peaceful protest.

The problems in Ferguson, however, are far deeper than the tragic shooting of Michael Brown. They reflect patterns of racial injustice and political imbalance in a city whose elected leaders and citizens — at least those concerned with justice and prudence — must work even harder to correct.

In the city of Ferguson, 67 percent of the residents are African American. Yet the city’s police force is 95 percent white. Five of the six members of the City Council are white. And in 2013, 92 percent of all police searches of individuals in Ferguson, 86 percent of all stops made by the police and 93 percent of all arrests involved African Americans, according to official reports. These disparities, no doubt, led to the unrest that occurred in Ferguson.

The leadership of the city must do more to recruit minority candidates to become members of the police force. At the same time, members of the minority community must do all that they can to identify and support worthy candidates for elected office.

The leadership of Ferguson must also insist upon the implementation of community policing, a policy developed in Texas in which police and citizens work together to protect communities from crime and violence. Under community policing, members of the police force are not viewed as enemies. Rather, they are perceived as protectors of citizens and their property. A partnership is formed with residents and business owners interacting closely with law enforcement officials.

Perhaps if community policing were in effect in Ferguson, the officer accused of killing Michael Brown would have called him over to his police car so the two could talk rather than engage in confrontation, as some witnesses to the incident have alleged.

We must never again witness the types of military hardware displayed on the streets of Ferguson, with SWAT team snipers poised to shoot at protesters. This is not the American way. We must also understand that the conditions that precipitated tragedy and unrest in Ferguson exist in other cities throughout our country. And we must take steps to rectify those conditions before we witness a repeat of what most Americans found revolting in a city located in the American heartland." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson


A Waco native who graduated from A.J. Moore High School, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson represents a district in Dallas County.

Source: Waco Tribune