III 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 144 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2015 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

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

and concerns of, and services available to assist, victims and survivors 

of crime in the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 22, 2015 

Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. HATCH, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. 

WICKER, and Mr. VITTER) submitted the following resolution; which was 

considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2015 National Crime 

Victims’ Rights Week, which include increasing public 

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

services available to assist, victims and survivors of crime 

in the United States. 

Whereas in 2013, there were more than 6,000,000 victims 

and survivors of violent crime and nearly 17,000,000 victims and survivors of property crime in the United 

States; 

Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on 

individuals, families, schools, and communities by protecting the rights of crime victims and survivors and enVerDate Sep 11 2014 01:29 Apr 23, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR144.ATS SR144

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suring that resources and services are available to help 

rebuild the lives of the victims and survivors; 

Whereas despite impressive accomplishments between 1974 

and 2015 in increasing the rights of, and services available to, crime victims and survivors, and the families of 

the victims and survivors, many challenges remain to ensure that all crime victims and survivors, and the families 

of the victims and survivors, are— 

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

(2) offered support and services regardless of whether the victims and survivors 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 the victims and survivors report 

crimes; 

Whereas crime victims and survivors in the United States, 

and the families of the victims and survivors, need and 

deserve support and assistance to help cope with the 

often devastating consequences 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 and 

survivors, and the families of the victims and survivors; 

Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for 

a renewed commitment to serving all victims and survivors of crime in the 21st century; 


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Whereas the theme of 2015 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week, celebrated during the week of April 19 through 

April 25, 2015, is ‘‘Engaging Communities. Empowering 

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

Whereas engaging communities in victim assistance is essential to promoting individual and public safety; 

Whereas the United States must empower crime victims and 

survivors by protecting their legal rights and by providing 

them with quality, comprehensive services to help them in 

the aftermath of crime; and 

Whereas the people of the United States recognize and appreciate the continued importance of— 

(1) promoting the rights of, and services for, crime 

victims and survivors; and 

(2) honoring crime victims and survivors and individuals who provide services for the victims and survivors: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the mission and goals of 2015 Na3 tional Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which include in4 creasing individual and public awareness of— 

5 (A) the impact of crime on victims and 

6 survivors, and the families of the victims and 

7 survivors; 

8 (B) the challenges to achieving justice for 

9 victims and survivors of crime, and the families 

10 of the victims and survivors; and 


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1 (C) the many solutions to meet such chal2 lenges; and 

3 (2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors, 

4 and the families of the victims and survivors, should 

5 be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. 

Æ 


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