[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H1481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRESS MUST PASS A VICTIMS' RIGHTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NOW

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, Congress must follow the lead of 32 States, 
including my home State of Ohio, and pass the ``Victims' Rights 
Constitutional Amendment.''
  This amendment will empower crime victims by allowing them to 
confront their assailants in a courtroom and at sentencing and parole 
hearings. It will also protect victims by requiring that they be 
notified about the release or escape of the perpetrator from custody. 
Finally, the amendment will restore victims by guaranteeing them the 
right to seek restitution from their attackers.
  For far too long, victims of crime in this country have had to stand 
on the courthouse steps with meaningful justice just beyond their 
reach: not allowed to view proceedings in person sometimes, not 
permitted to speak out on behalf of a murdered loved one, not even 
notified when a violent abuser is turned loose.
  Crime victims deserve to be treated better. They deserve to be 
treated with dignity in our criminal justice system.
  With the adoption of this amendment, we will finally fortify an 
important truth, that victims must have their own inalienable rights 
under our Constitution.

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