[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1104 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1104

Supporting the mission and goals of 2010 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, no matter their 
country of origin or their creed, and to commemorate the National Crime 
   Victims' Rights Week theme of ``Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. 
                          Dignity. Respect.''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 24, 2010

 Mr. Costa (for himself, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Baca, Mr. Cardoza, Mr. 
     Grijalva, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Holden, Mr. Larsen of 
Washington, Ms. Matsui, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Minnick, Mr. Moore of Kansas, 
  Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. Pierluisi, and Mr. Royce) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the mission and goals of 2010 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, no matter their 
country of origin or their creed, and to commemorate the National Crime 
   Victims' Rights Week theme of ``Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. 
                          Dignity. Respect.''.

Whereas over 25,000,000 individuals in the United States are victims of crime 
        each year, including over 6,000,000 individuals who are victims of 
        violent crime;
Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on individuals, 
        families, neighborhoods, and communities by ensuring that rights, 
        resources, and services are available to help rebuild the lives of 
        victims;
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 expanded rights, protections, and 
        services;
Whereas despite impressive accomplishments over the past 40 years in crime 
        victims' rights and services, there remain many challenges to ensuring 
        that all victims--

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

    (2) are offered support and services regardless of whether they report 
the crimes committed against them to law enforcement; and

    (3) are recognized as key participants in our system of justice when 
such crimes are reported;

Whereas justice systems in the United States should ensure that services are 
        available for all victims of crime, including victims from underserved 
        communities of our Nation;
Whereas observing victims' rights and treating victims with fairness, dignity, 
        and respect serve the public interest by engaging victims in the justice 
        system, inspiring respect for public authorities, and promoting 
        confidence in public safety;
Whereas individuals in the United States recognize that our homes, 
        neighborhoods, and communities are made safer and stronger by 
        identifying and meeting the needs of crime victims and ensuring justice 
        for all;
Whereas treating victims of crime with fairness, dignity, and respect, as 
        encouraged and expressed by the theme of 2010 National Crime Victims' 
        Right Week, ``Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.'', 
        costs nothing more than taking time to identify victims' needs and 
        concerns, and effective collaboration among justice systems to meet such 
        needs and concerns; and
Whereas 2010 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 18 through April 24, 
        2010, provides an opportunity for justice systems in the United States 
        to strive to reach the goal of justice for all by ensuring that all 
        victims are afforded legal rights and provided with assistance as they 
        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 2010 National Crime 
        Victims' Rights Week to increase public awareness of--
                    (A) the impact on victims and survivors of crime; 
                and
                    (B) the constitutional and statutory rights and 
                needs of such victims and survivors;
            (2) recognizes that fairness, dignity, and respect comprise 
        the very foundation of how victims and survivors of crime 
        should be treated; 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.
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