IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 551 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2014 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week, which include increasing public awareness of the rights, needs, 

and concerns of, and services available to assist, victims of crime in 

the United States. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 10, 2014 

Mr. COSTA (for himself, Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. VARGAS, Ms. BASS, Mr. 

SWALWELL of California, and Mr. LEWIS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2014 National Crime 

Victims’ Rights Week, which include increasing public 

awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of, and 

services available to assist, victims of crime in the United 

States. 

Whereas in 2011, there were approximately 6,000,000 victims of violent crime and more than 17,000,000 victims 

of property crime in the United States; 

Whereas according to the National Crime Victimization Survey, nonfatal violent crime in the United States increased 

by 17 percent and property crime in the United States 

increased by 11 percent between 2010 and 2011; 


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•HRES 551 IH 

Whereas according to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program 

of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ‘‘law enforcement 

agencies throughout the nation reported an increase of 

1.9 percent in the number of violent crimes brought to 

their attention for the first 6 months of 2012 when compared with figures reported for the same time in 2011’’; 

Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on 

individuals, families, schools, and communities by protecting the rights of crime victims and ensuring that resources and services are available to help rebuild the lives 

of such victims; 

Whereas despite impressive accomplishments between 1974 

and 2014 in increasing the rights of, and services available to, crime victims, and the families of such victims, 

many challenges remain to ensure that all crime victims 

are— 

(1) treated with dignity, fairness, and respect; 

(2) offered support and services regardless of whether such victims report crimes committed against them; 

and 

(3) recognized as key participants within the criminal, juvenile, Federal, tribal, and civil justice systems in 

the United States when such victims report crimes; 

Whereas crime victims in the United States need and deserve 

support and assistance to help such victims cope with the 

often devastating consequences of crime; 

Whereas 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment 

of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601 

et seq.) (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘VOCA’’), which 

is the hallmark of the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting rights and services for victims of 

all types of crime; 


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Whereas VOCA established the Crime Victims Fund, which 

is paid for by criminal fines and penalties, rather than 

by taxpayer dollars; 

Whereas the Crime Victims Fund has collected more than 

$20,400,000,000 from criminals to be used exclusively to 

help victims of crime; 

Whereas during each year between 1984 and 2014, communities across the United States have joined Congress and 

the Department of Justice in commemorating National 

Crime Victims’ Rights Week to celebrate a shared vision 

of a comprehensive and collaborative response that identifies and addresses the many needs of crime victims; 

Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for 

a renewed commitment to serving all victims of crime in 

the 21st century; 

Whereas the theme of 2014 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week, celebrated during the week of April 6 through 

April 12, 2014, is ‘‘30 Years: Restoring the Balance of 

Justice’’ and highlights the many challenges that confront crime-victim assistance, justice, and public safety; 

and 

Whereas the people of the United States recognize and appreciate the continued importance of promoting the rights 

of, and services for, crime victims and of honoring crime 

victims and individuals who provide services for crime victims: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House— 

2 (1) supports the mission and goals of 2014 Na3 tional Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which include in4 creasing individual and public awareness of— 


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•HRES 551 IH 

1 (A) the impact of crime on victims; 

2 (B) the challenges to achieving justice for 

3 victims; and 

4 (C) the many solutions to meet such chal5 lenges; 

6 (2) recognizes that crime victims should be 

7 treated with dignity, fairness, and respect; and 

8 (3) recognizes the 30th anniversary of the en9 actment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 

10 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.). 

Æ 


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