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[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 144 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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 ensuring 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;
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

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the mission and goals of 2015 National Crime 
        Victims' Rights Week, which include increasing individual and 
        public awareness of--
                    (A) the impact of crime on victims and survivors, 
                and the families of the victims and survivors;
                    (B) the challenges to achieving justice for victims 
                and survivors of crime, and the families of the victims 
                and survivors; and
                    (C) the many solutions to meet such challenges; and
            (2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors, and the 
        families of the victims and survivors, should be treated with 
        dignity, fairness, and respect.
                                 <all>
```