Edwards' Resolution Honoring the Lives of Homicide Victims Passes the House

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards’
Resolution Honoring the Lives of Homicide Victims Passes in the House of Representatives

09/30/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2009

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), and cosponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, which was commemorated on September 25, 2009. In recognizing all homicide victims and their families, Rep. Edwards wanted to bring particular attention to the unacceptable number of victims of intimate partner violence.

“We are witnessing an epidemic of homicide in this country and it must be addressed,” said Rep. Edwards. “The goals of this resolution are to honor the lives of all homicide victims, including those who died as a result of intimate partner violence. I thank my colleague and dear friend, Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), to make this a bipartisan resolution, and hope that it will raise awareness about how serious and widespread the issues of homicide and domestic violence are in America.”

At least forty-eight Maryland women and children lost their lives as a result of intimate partner homicide in one year from July, 2007 to June, 2008. Nationally, three women per day are murdered by their former or current husbands and partners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 1976 to 2005, approximately 64.8% of all female homicide victims during that time were murdered by an intimate partner. Intimate partner homicide remains the second leading cause of traumatic death for pregnant women in America.

“Congresswoman Edwards is an unwavering voice for the victims of intimate partner violence,” said Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “We join her in honoring and remembering so many who lost their lives to a spouse or partner. We commend Congresswomen Edwards for continuing to shed light on the pervasiveness and severity of domestic violence in America.”

Brandon Wallace, CEO and Executive Director of the William Kellibrew Foundation added, “William Kellibrew stood helplessly at the age of 10 as he watched his mother and brother gunned down by her estranged boyfriend before looking down the barrel of the gun himself. Intimate partner homicide cannot continue to rip families apart. We must support the legislation being introduced by Congresswoman Edwards and Congressman Poe to prevent further loss of innocent lives.”

The following organizations endorse the resolution: Legal Momentum, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the National Partnership for Women and Families, the William Kellibrew Foundation, and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV).

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