•HRES 109 IH 
rights, resources, and services are available to help re-
build 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, in-
cluding crime victims with disabilities, victims with men-
tal 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 hall-
mark of the Federal Government’s recognition of its com-
mitment 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 pen-
alties, rather than by taxpayers’ dollars; 
Whereas, since its inception, the Crime Victims Fund has col-
lected more than $9,000,000,000 from offender fines and 
penalties to be used exclusively to help victims of crime; 
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•HRES 109 IH 
Whereas VOCA supports direct assistance and financial com-
pensation 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 fi-
nancial, physical, spiritual, psychological, and social im-
pact of crime: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the mission and goals of 2009 Na-
tional Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase public 
awareness of the impact of crime on victims and sur-
vivors, and of the constitutional and statutory rights 
and needs; 
(2) recognizes the 25th anniversary of the en-
actment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984; and 
(3) directs the Clerk of the House of Represent-
atives to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution 
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•HRES 109 IH 
to the Office for Victims of Crime within the Office 
of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice. 
Æ 
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