Long Term Supporters of Silent Witness

We are saddened by the tragic deaths of these two leaders on Oct. 25, 2002. Please visit the memorial pages to our friends.

Senator Paul Wellstone

A native of Arlington, Virginia and a former professor at Carleton College in Minnesota, Paul Wellstone was elected to the United States Senate in 1990. Re-elected in 1996, Paul continues to focus on issues such as government reform, education, agriculture, small business, and health care as well as domestic violence. Recognized as a national leader in the effort to prevent domestic violence, he fought for the Violence Against Women Act, and has sponsored many pieces of legislation aimed at protecting women and children from the ravages of domestic violence. Senator Wellstone's Violence Reduction Training Act to better train health professionals to recognize instances of domestic abuse was signed into law by President Clinton in December 1993.


Sheila Wellstone

Since the election of her husband, U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, Sheila has focused her work on preventing violence and protecting victims of domestic violence. Serving on many national and Minnesota advisory committees in this issue area, Sheila was also appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Violence Against Women Advisory Council in 1995. As the working partner of her husband, Sheila has lent her expertise to the development of Senator Wellstone's domestic violence legislative agenda. In addition, she and Senator Wellstone host an art exhibit on Capitol Hill every year in October, National Domestic Violence Awareness month, to raise awareness about domestic violence. Sheila helped craft and has testified on behalf of the victims of Abuse Access to Health Insurance Act. This bill would stop health insurance companies from discriminating against victims of domestic violence. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, she and Senator Wellstone have lived in both North Carolina and Minnesota while raising three children and enjoying three grand children.