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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 109 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 109

Supporting the mission and goals of 2009 National Crime Victims' Rights 
week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of 
victims and survivors of crime in the United States, and to commemorate 
 the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 
                                 1984.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 3, 2009

Mr. Costa (for himself, Mr. Poe of Texas, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Marchant, and 
 Mr. Moran of Virginia) submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Supporting the mission and goals of 2009 National Crime Victims' Rights 
week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of 
victims and survivors of crime in the United States, and to commemorate 
 the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 
                                 1984.

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 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
    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.
                                 <all>
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