EXECUTIVE ORDER
01-13
WHEREAS, thousands of women and children in Missouri are victims of domestic violence offenses which violate their basic human rights to live with respect, dignity, freedom from fear and violence; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a crime that effects all aspects of a community with devastating consequences for the primary victims, women and their children; and
WHEREAS, in 1999 more than 4,500 women and 5,100 children obtained emergency safe shelter but more than 5,000 Missouri battered women and their children were turned away from domestic violence shelters that were full; and
WHEREAS, state government has an obligation to assist its citizens to live safely in all communities; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to conduct an inventory of state funding and resources currently dedicated to addressing domestic violence and to investigate opportunities to enhance public and private resources for expanded community and statewide domestic violence prevention and intervention services; and
WHEREAS, a Missouri strategic action plan is necessary for developing a coordinated and integrated approach to domestic violence that will advance pragmatic, qualified and quantifiable funding and policy recommendations based on needs and priorities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BOB HOLDEN, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, hereby create and establish the Missouri Domestic Violence Task Force (hereinafter referred to as the "Task Force") to study solutions for domestic violence in Missouri.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is assigned for administrative purposes to the Office of the Governor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall consist of eleven (11) individuals appointed by the Governor, who shall serve without compensation, except that Task Force members may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties for the Task Force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force may invite individuals representing local and federal agencies or private organizations and the general public to serve as ex. officio members.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall submit a report of its activities to the Governor, the Pro-Tem of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1, 2001. A subsequent report shall be submitted by August 1, 2001.
Task Force members shall serve until September 1, 2002.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 10th day of August, 2001.
[Bob Holden's signature]