Reps. Miller, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Bennett, Brandenburg, Brown, Byrnes, Byrum, Condino, Donigan, Espinoza, Farrah, Garfield, Gillard, Gleason, Gonzales, Hopgood, Kahn, Kehrl, Kolb, Kooiman, Kathleen Law, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Meisner, Murphy, Nofs, Phillips, Plakas, Polidori, Proos, Sak, Spade, Taub, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Wojno, Zelenko, Caul, McConico and Mortimer offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 117.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

            Whereas, In the ten years since the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act, significant strides have been made to find practical solutions to the problems of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  Changes in procedures, specific prevention programs, and increased awareness have helped foster progress on dealing with this challenging problem; and

            Whereas, The Violence Against Women Act is set to expire in 2005. As Congress considers the reauthorization of this important legislation, it is also wise to encourage that this law be strengthened in certain areas.  There are several ways this act can be made more effective, including through expanded funding for local groups that work with underserved communities, more collaboration between victim service organizations and civil legal assistance providers, and enhanced provisions to enforce protective orders across state lines.  The reauthorization of this legislation should also address the unique problems that are known to challenge certain population groups, including specific ethnic groups, immigrant families, the elderly, and those in the military; and

            Whereas, In spite of progress that has been made, domestic violence continues to take a terrible toll within our society.  Clearly, addressing this situation is a matter of great urgency; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.