Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Con.Res. 209, a resolution introduced by Congressman Al Green (TX-9) expressing the sense of Congress that Congress should raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating impact on families. H.Con.Res. 209 passed by a vote of 404 to 0.

Green’s legislation comes as the nation prepares to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Statistics confirm that domestic violence is a persistent problem in the United States. In fact in Houston alone, over 31,000 incidents of family violence were reported in 2004, averaging 88 incidents a day.

Inspired by the Houston Police Department’s, Men Against Family Violence Project, a program which educated men on the issue of domestic violence, Congressman Green, in his statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, paid tribute to the countless number of police officers who risk their lives everyday to protect families from this centuries-old problem.

“Ending domestic violence is a responsibility that should be shared equally by all people. I’m honored that this Congress has acted to raise awareness of this distressing crisis that threatens many innocent lives. The crisis of domestic violence is one that should not go unnoticed and its eradiation will require the direct action of all of us. Because violence knows no bounds of time or place, it is my wish that we can continue to work together to bring an end to this pervasive problem through future legislative efforts,” Green said.

In addition to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Green also acknowledged the support of the Houston Area Women’s Center, the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, the National YWCA, the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community, the Montana State Attorney General’s Office, and the Utah State Attorney General’s Office.