H. Res. 109 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

April 29, 2009. 

Whereas 25,000,000 individuals in the United States are victims of crime each year, including over 6,000,000 victims 

of violent crime; 

Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on 

individuals, families, and communities by ensuring that 

rights, resources, and services are available to help rebuild lives; 

Whereas although our Nation has steadily expanded rights, 

protections, and services for victims of crime, too many 

victims are still not able to realize the hope and promise 

of these gains; 

Whereas our Nation must do more to ensure that services are 

available for underserved segments of the population, including crime victims with disabilities, victims with mental illness, and victims who are teenagers, elderly, or from 

urban and rural areas or communities of color; 

Whereas observing victims’ rights and treating victims with 

dignity and respect serves the public interest by engaging 

victims in the justice system, inspiring respect for public 

authorities, and promoting confidence in public safety; 

Whereas the people of the United States recognize that we 

make our homes, neighborhoods, and communities safer 
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•HRES 109 EH 

and stronger by serving victims of crime and ensuring 

justice for all; 

Whereas 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the enactment 

of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (‘‘VOCA’’), the hallmark of the Federal Government’s recognition of its commitment to supporting rights and services for victims of 

all types of crime through the establishment of the Crime 

Victims Fund, that is paid for by criminal fines and penalties, rather than by taxpayers’ dollars; 

Whereas, since its inception, the Crime Victims Fund has collected more than $9,000,000,000 from offender fines and 

penalties to be used exclusively to help victims of crime; 

Whereas VOCA supports direct assistance and financial compensation to more than 4,000,000 victims of crime every 

year; 

Whereas VOCA’s imaginative transformation of offender 

fines into programs of victim rehabilitation has inspired 

similar programs throughout the worldwide crime victims’ 

movement; 

Whereas the theme of 2009 National Crime Victims’ Right 

Week, celebrated April 26, 2009, through May 2, 2009, 

is ‘‘25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims 

of Crime Act’’, which highlights VOCA’s significant 

achievements and contributions in advancing rights and 

services for all crime victims; and 

Whereas National Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides an 

opportunity for the Nation to strive to reach the goal of 

justice for all by ensuring that all victims are afforded 

legal rights and provided with assistance to face the financial, physical, spiritual, psychological, and social impact of crime: Now, therefore, be it 
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Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the mission and goals of 2009 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase public 

awareness of the impact of crime on victims and survivors, and of the constitutional and statutory rights and 

needs; 

(2) recognizes the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984; and 

(3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to 

the Office for Victims of Crime within the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice. 

Attest: 

Clerk.