Jeanne Shaheen

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Always, Mr. President.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Vermont, Mr. Leahy, both for his kind words and the tremendous leadership he has shown over the years in first passing this legislation and for getting it reauthorized time and again and now, after the bill died in the last Congress because of the unwillingness of the House to act, for his willingness to bring it forward so early in the session so that hopefully we can make sure all of those people who are victims of domestic violence and all of those advocates, the law enforcement community that is working so hard, can have the support they need as a result of this legislation. So I thank Senator Leahy very much. One of the reasons I am proud to support this bill is because it takes a truly comprehensive approach to the problem. It supports crisis centers for women and families to provide for immediate needs, such as shelter and counseling. Last year the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence reported that they were able to provide shelter for 630 people who needed a place to sleep. Unfortunately, although they helped those 630, they had to turn away 721 because they didn't have room. So even with the help that is in the Violence Against Women Act, they had to turn away more people than they could help. In the face of this need, sometimes it is easy to feel discouraged, to wonder whether we can really help at all. But when I speak to the brave women who are survivors who reached out for help to the advocates who have helped them rebuild their shattered lives, I know that we can and we must continue to make a difference. The Violence Against Women Act helps us do this by providing funding for police officers and prosecutors so abusers are held responsible. Time and again, we have heard from law enforcement that the Violence Against Women Act helps them keep our communities safe and helps stop the cycle of abuse--law enforcement officers such as a detective sergeant in New Hampshire's largest city of Manchester, who is an investigator and a domestic violence advocate. I brought with me today a chart that gives us a real picture of just how pervasive the problem of domestic violence is. As we can see in the chart, one in four women in the United States is a victim of domestic violence. Three women are murdered every day by their partners. This has been a very big problem in New Hampshire where half of all murders are domestic violence related. Maybe the worst statistic on this chart shows that 15 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year. I call this maybe the worst because, in fact, the cycle of domestic violence continues because so many children are exposed every year. They are not able to get out of this cycle. Let's recommit to shielding our children from senseless violence. Another reason I am proud to support this bill is because it treats all victims equally, and it recognizes that members of the LGBT community are just as deserving of our support as any other survivor of domestic violence. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control shows us that those in LGBT relationships actually experience higher rates of violence than heterosexual couples. Let's recommit to helping all Americans regardless of whom they love or who has abused them. Finally, I want to end with a quote from a woman in New Hampshire who sought help at a crisis center that receives funds from VAWA, the Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention. Before she left that shelter--as she was putting her life back together--she told the case managers there: You all have really made my life worth holding onto and not giving up. Please don't ever give up doing what you do because you truly saved my life. I think that represents what we hear from so many survivors of domestic violence. Just as we are not going to give up on those survivors, we must not give up until this legislation is on President Obama's desk and signed into law. There are too many victims who are counting on us. I certainly urge all of my colleagues in the Senate--as we did in the last session of Congress--to join me in supporting the Violence Against Women Act. I also hope our colleagues in the House will recognize how significant this challenge is and be willing to take up this legislation and get it done so survivors across this country will get the help they need. Thank you very much. I yield the floor.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 7, 2013, at 2:30 p.m.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 7, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate office building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Oversight Hearing on Implementation of Corps of Engineers Water Resources Policies.''

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``No Child Left Behind: Early Lessons from State Flexibility Waivers'' on February 7, 2013, at 10:00 am, in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 7, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., in SD-216 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive meeting.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 7, 2013, at 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. And in my small State of New Hampshire, where we only have 18 miles of coastline, we have 5,000 jobs dependent on this industry. So in Rhode Island and Alaska, I am sure my colleagues have a significant number of jobs dependent on the fishing industry. What happens to those jobs if the industry doesn't survive? They are gone.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. It is not just the people who are fishing directly who are affected by this, it is also all of the other jobs that depend on that fishing industry that are going to be lost.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I am here to join my colleagues, Senator Murkowski from Alaska and Senator Whitehouse from Rhode Island, to express my disappointment and frustration along with them that the disaster relief funding for our Nation's fishermen has been stripped from this emergency relief bill. I agree with all of those who want to make sure the victims of Hurricane Sandy along the east coast get the help they need. I think that is something to which we all are committed. But the fact is that fishermen in New England and Alaska and other parts of this country are also facing hard times. They are grappling with onerous regulations that are designed to end overfishing, and in spite of these restrictions, the amount of codfish in the Gulf of Maine has declined drastically. It has a huge impact on New Hampshire, and the problem for fishermen in my State is now one of survival. Our fishermen have already seen their incomes decrease significantly in recent years. They depend on cod more than fishermen from any other State in New England. Cod accounts for more than 90 percent of the revenues of the fishing industry in New Hampshire. This is because our fishermen use small day boats, they fish close to shore, and most don't have the boats or equipment to catch other deep-sea species to compensate for the lack of cod. Our fishing businesses are small, and they are mostly owned by families who have been fishing for generations. For 400 years, we have been fishing in New Hampshire. Generations of fishermen in New Hampshire have continued this proud tradition. Yet, under what is happening with the fishing regulations, we are going to lose this industry. Our coastline is short in New Hampshire--it is only 18 miles--but the fishing industry is still a crucial driver of the economy. It generates $106 million in economic activity, it supports 5,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the State, and it provides our stores and our restaurants with a local and fresh supply of fish, just as it does in Alaska and Rhode Island. This historic way of life is going to become extinct if we don't help the fishing industry. I welcomed the decision of the Secretary of Commerce back in September to declare a Federal disaster for the Northeast fishing industry for the upcoming fishing year, but this declaration, as well as those already provided for Alaska, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and other States, is meaningless if Congress does not provide relief funding to these fishing communities. As my colleagues have said so eloquently, the Senate voted last month to appropriate $150 million in funding for these disasters, and as Senator Whitehouse said, it was not a large percentage of the emergency relief bill. I am disappointed and, like the fisher men and women in New Hampshire who depend on this industry, frustrated that this funding has been taken out of the bill we voted on today. It is critical that we provide relief to the fishermen and to the coastal economies in New England--and in New Hampshire as a part of the New England economy--and Mississippi and New Jersey and New York and Alaska and the other States that are affected. We have to work to ensure the long-term sustainability of these vital resources and of this historic way of life. I intend to continue to work with my colleagues from those States that are affected to make sure the fishing industry gets the help it needs to survive. I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Will the Senator yield?

Mrs. SHAHEEN. And I will certainly join my colleague in that effort.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 9, and the Senate proceed to its consideration.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 19, which was submitted earlier today.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2013; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business until 12:30 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes; finally, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. I now ask for a second reading, but in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it adjourn under the previous order.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. We anticipate the Foreign Relations Committee will report out Senator Kerry's nomination and look forward to full Senate consideration tomorrow.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and honor the success of Victoria Arlen of Exeter, NH. This summer, Victoria represented the United States in a number of swimming events at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Victoria Arlen is an 18-year-old young woman who 7 years ago was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder that causes inflammation of a section of the spinal cord. Victoria's resulting paralysis from the waist down has not damaged her determination or her competitive spirit, and her achievements this year have been truly remarkable. Victoria was a very active child prior to her diagnosis, and was involved in dancing, swimming, playing field hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. For more than 2 years, Victoria lived in a coma and only began swimming competitively again at the age of 16, and it came as no surprise to Victoria's family when the honors student earned a place on the U.S. Paralympic Team. In London, she competed in the 100-meter, 50- meter, 400-meter and 4x100-meter relay freestyle events and the 100- meter breaststroke event. Victoria set a world record and won a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle, in her final competition, and earned silver medals in three of her other races. Victoria's determination in the face of adversity and ability to accomplish her goals demonstrate her strength of spirit and her quality of character. Citizens of New Hampshire are incredibly proud of her achievements; she is a role model and an inspiration. I am confident that her success at the 2012 Paralympic Games is one great accomplishment in what is certain to be a lifetime of impressive feats. Since 1960, the Paralympic Games have provided athletes who have certain physical disabilities the chance to compete in a broad range of sports and athletic events on the international level, providing them with an opportunity similar to that of their able-bodied counterparts. Victoria's inspiring performance throughout the 2012 Paralympic Games should serve as a reminder of the hard work and dedication required to succeed. I applaud and congratulate Victoria for her devotion and determination. I also commend her family, including her parents, Jacqueline and Larry, and her three brothers, Cameron, LJ, and William, for their role in her success. I know that her victories give her family, her friends, the Exeter community, and the State of New Hampshire great pride. I wish to recognize Victoria Arlen for her accomplishments and her victory in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, and I commend her dedication, maturity, and hard work. She is truly an inspiring young woman.

Mrs. SHAHEEN

Mrs. SHAHEEN. We are from New England. Senator Mikulski is further south on the east coast. But this is a bicoastal problem because, as I know Senator Begich will tell us, it is a huge issue for people in Alaska and for those on the west coast. They have the same problem.

Mrs. SHAHEEN. My friend from Massachusetts understands the challenges we have in New Hampshire, as does Senator Whitehouse from Rhode Island because, in fact, fishing is one of the oldest industries we have in New England. In New Hampshire, it dates back over 400 years. Because we have a much smaller coastline than Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we have a smaller group of people who earn their living through fishing. They have smaller boats, and therefore they are more affected by some of the fishing regulations and some of the adverse weather conditions that have affected fishing. About 90 percent of the fishing New Hampshire's fishermen do is for cod, and cod is the species that has been most affected by declining fish stocks. It is a huge issue for our small remaining fishing industry. The fact that there is funding to help them in this bill is absolutely critical because without this funding we are going to lose that industry in New Hampshire. We have 5,000 jobs affected here, $106 million in income to the State of New Hampshire. I think it is important to point out that this is a bipartisan effort. Last week we had a letter with 13 of our colleagues, including Senators Wicker, Murkowski, Collins, Snowe, and Brown, urging the committee to include this funding in the bill. It is there now. I certainly hope we are going to see bipartisan support for keeping this funding in the bill. Let me just turn----