Kerry (Senate) and Bill Delahunt ( House) introduce International Violence Against Women Act

[karynnj]

From an op-ed by Larry Cox is executive director of Amnesty International USA. Kerry Kennedy is Chair, Amnesty International USA Executive Director’s Leadership Council. Rep. Bill Delahunt (D) represents the 10th congressional district in Massachusetts. Sen. John Kerry represents the state of Massachusetts and is chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

That’s why today a bipartisan coalition, led by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) in the Senate and Congressmen Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.) and Ted Poe (R-Texas) in the House, will introduce the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). Introduction of this bill supports the efforts of President Obama and Secretary Clinton to rightly put women at the very center of a broad global security agenda that factors in the great challenges of our decade and invests in the world’s peacemakers.

<snip>

IVAWA will support innovative programs that challenge public attitudes and cultural practices that perpetuate and condone violence against women and girls. In settings where women are prevented or discouraged from seeking justice, IVAWA will support training for police and judicial officials on countering violence against women and respecting the rights of victims. It will allow long-term prevention efforts such as increasing women’s economic security, expanding access to jobs and education, and engaging men to change behaviors and attitudes. Societies in which women are able to live and function in relative safety, empowered to realize their aspirations and move their communities forward are healthier, better developed, and more stable. Societies that take measures to deter discrimination and violence against women are better equipped to root out terrorism, less prone to conflict, and therefore more secure.

This isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s in our own interests. Investing in women makes sense because when they are safe and free to earn a living they invest in education and grow economies – making U.S. assistance dollars go farther. And, U.S. security benefits from the elevated status of women. The Joint Chiefs of Staff recently stated that one of the most effective forces for defeating extremism is female education. IVAWA will help make this possible.

A comprehensive U.S. response to the global scourge of violence against women is long overdue. Going forward, this goal should be recognized as crucial to global development and stability, and by extension, to America’s security. IVAWA is the first step in making women a central focal point in U.S. foreign policy and allows the United States to join with them in their struggle to stop the violence.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32481.html

( This is a bill for which work started under Biden in the SFRC )

Here is a link to the SFRC hearing on this topic - http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/20091001_2/

[karynnj]

1. At least Kerry got to something better than having to stand with Brown

when he was sworn in.

[wisteria]

6. Yes, Sen. Kerry is keeping himself busy with issues that matter and can make a real difference. n/t

[Lord Helmet]

2. to the greatest page

[politicasista]

3. Kick

:kick: :patriot:

[ProSense]

4. Excellent

Societies where women are safe, where women are empowered to realize their aspirations and move their communities forward—are healthier and more stable societies,” said Senator Kerry. “This bill will protect women everywhere, and it turns out that championing these values is also an extremely effective and cost-efficient way to advance America’s foreign assistance goals and strengthen our national security.”

link

[BrklynLiberal]

5. It's a start...

[BlueIris]

7. Wow, actual productive work by a legislator.

Must be, could it be...Kerry again?

[SKKY]

8. Perhaps it's just me...

...but I think it's absurd we even need something like this.

[Jennicut]

9. I was wondering if this would ever be introduced.

I know Biden did a lot of work on this and Kerry was the best person who could take over.

[karynnj]

10. In the hearing, Kerry speaks of the work that

both Biden and Kaufman, as Biden's staffer did on the IVAW and the VAW bill. Very gracious and honest comments that so often are said giving credit where due.

[Jennicut]

11. John Kerry is great guy. Now if only some of that would rub off on Scott Brown...

But I doubt it.

[karynnj]

12. Well - as long as NOTHING of Scott Brown rubs off on the Senior Senator

I suspect that the fact that they represent the same state will not mean they do much work together. Something tells me that Brown will not work with the Congressional delegation to actively get good things for Massachusetts -- and the MA media that always faulted Kerry for not being obsessed with pork for the state will likely not call Brown on it.

On other issues, Mr "the stimulus did not create one job" will likely be mentored by someone like McConnell. Look how he spun this whole thing about getting seated. He made a sad time for the Kennedy staff needlessly worse in a ruthless, uncaring way. (Yet the Hill's article wanted to stir trouble twisting Kerry's comments that sympathized with that staff.) The Washing Post actually called him on it.

Brown, the surprise victor in last month's special election, had raised no objection to taking his oath of office on Feb. 11. But then conservative commentators complained that he was dilly-dallying; the Boston Herald's Howie Carr accused him on Wednesday of taking "a three-week victory lap."

So, in one of his first major decisions since winning election, the Republican made his choice: He would cave in to his conservative critics. He requested -- no, demanded! -- that he be seated promptly -- no, immediately! -- so that he could start to do the important work of being a senator. Democratic Senate leaders complied with his demand (they even let him have Ted Kennedy's primo office suite), and Vice President Biden made time to swear in Brown on the Senate floor at 5 p.m. Thursday

<snip>
An hour before Brown's swearing-in, Sen. Paul Kirk (D-Mass.), the placeholder who had filled Kennedy's seat, gave his farewell on the Senate floor, an emotional appeal for "bipartisan comity." Eighteen Democratic senators stood and applauded. But Republicans let the majority know where they stood on the whole bipartisan comity thing: Not a single one of them came to hear Kirk's farewell.
<snip>
A few minutes later, after his wife got a chance to admire his new Senate lapel pin, Brown entered the jammed TV studio in a hail of camera flashes. Senator Centerfold laid out his positions. How might he work with Democrats? "I need to see what issues are coming up." His stance on gays in the military? "I want to speak to the generals in the field." A filibuster of the labor board nominee? "I'm going to look at everybody's qualifications." The jobs legislation? "I need to see what's in the bill."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020404009.html

Some how, parts of the media ignored that the Democrats with 24 hours notice got space on Biden's calendar (and Kerry's) and they gave him an office that he clearly did not deserve.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

13. These are the chasms of difference between the 2 parties LImbaugh following your movement or Dems

improving womens safety across the globe. We'll oust the Stupaks and we'll always honor the female vote.

[Mass]

14. About time somebody is doing something about that. Happy to see a few Republicans are on board.