[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 93 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 93

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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 31, 2009

 Mr. Schumer 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 approximately 25,000,000 individuals in the United States are victims of 
        crime each year, including more than 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 the 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 the Nation must do more to ensure that services are available for 
        underserved segments of the population, including crime victims with 
        disabilities, with mental illness, teenaged victims, elderly victims, 
        and victims from urban areas, rural areas, and 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 homes, neighborhoods, and 
        communities are made 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) (42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.), the hallmark of the 
        Federal Government's recognition of its commitment to supporting rights 
        and services for victims of all types of crime that established the 
        Crime Victims Fund, which is paid for through 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' Rights 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 Senate--
            (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 of victims;
            (2) recognizes the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the 
        Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.); and
            (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate 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>