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<p>Since 1994, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been an essential tool in helping to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence.&nbsp;While seeking to improve criminal justice and community-based responses to victims of abuse, VAWA ultimately changed the landscape for those previously left to suffer in silence.</p>

Commentary:
By Raoul Lowery Contreras

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<p>“I want to quit smoking,” pleaded Paul Wells of 23 years of age. He was five when he, his brother and sister arrived in the United States from Poland after a long adoption process.</p>
<p>He had it all, a wonderful adoptive mother, the nation safest city to live in, an excellent high school in Irvine, new friend and relatives. However, his life took a bad shift when he lit his first cigarette. It never crossed in his mind that as teenager he would be so hooked on cigarettes.</p>

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<strong>America’s Voice</strong></p>
<p>La declaración del presidente Barack Obama de que apoya los matrimonios entre personas del mismo sexo se dio tras un proceso de evolución, según afirmó, y de una cuestión de principios, agregó.</p>
<p>Es un arriesgado paso político a meses de los comicios generales que le ayudará con un amplio e influyente sector de votantes y que seguramente le afectará con otros. Esas consideraciones se pesaron en la balanza política antes de hacer pública su postura.</p>