mr. crapo: thank you. madam president with that, understanding, i first ask that our full statements for each of us be placed in the record at this time. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. crapo: and i would ask unanimous consent that my amendment be withdrawn. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. levin: madam president, i have a unanimous consent request. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: madam president, i would hope that everyone just listened to and watch the exemplary way of ridding ourselves of some of these amendments. we have two more amendments. it would be great if we didn't have to vote on those. i think that the explanation given by the two senators is an indication that progress can be made, even without a vote. mr. levin: madam president? the presiding officer: is noter from michigan. mr. levin: i had he ask unanimous consent that a statement of mine relative to the crapo amendment be inserted in the record. the presiding officer: without objection. the

mr. president, i'm pleased on wednesday, senator crapo and i will introduce the bipartisan violence against women reauthorization act, 2011. for almost 18 years, the violence against women act, vawa, has been the centerpiece of the federal government's commitment to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. the effort to see it reauthorized. since its passage in 1994, no other piece of legislation has done more to stop domestic and sexual violence in our communities. the resources, the training provided by vawa have changed attitudes toward these reprehensible crimes. they have improved the responsible law enforcement of the justice system. they have provided essential services for victims struggling to rebuild their lives. it's a law that has saved countless lives. it is an example of what we could accomplish if we work together. years ago, when i was a prosecutor in vermont, i saw firsthand the destruction caused by domestic and sexual violence. those were the days before vawa when too often people dismissed these serious crimes with a joke, there were few, i