[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2152]]
        INTRODUCTION OF THE CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2003

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2003

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Crime Victims 
Assistance Act of 2003 to benefit victims of crime here and throughout 
the country during a period when crime has increased as well as to help 
the police resolve more crimes. I commend the authors of the original 
bill introduced in the Senate by Judiciary Committee Ranking Member 
Patrick Leahy, Minority Leader Tom Daschle, and Senators Jon Corzine, 
Dick Durbin, Russ Feingold, Tim Johnson, Edward Kennedy, John Kerry, 
Patty Murray and Charles Schumer. The bill will provide enhanced rights 
and protections for victims of federal crimes and will assist victims 
of state crimes with grant programs designed to promote compliance with 
state victims rights laws. The bill requires that victims concerns be 
incorporated into decision-making throughout the proceedings. I have 
changed the Senate bill only to assure the safety of those who have a 
personal relationship (family or other) with the victim.
  This bill is an alternative to the constitutional amendment approach 
proposed by some in the Congress. As a lawyer who specialized in 
constitutional matters early in my legal career, I am confident that 
the improved rights and benefits that victims justifiably seek are well 
within existing congressional authority to grant through the 
legislative process. The protracted constitutional process simply puts 
the most arduous, lengthy and, in this case, unnecessary process in the 
path toward the rights and funds crime victims need now.
  The bill would be particularly valuable in the District and in other 
jurisdictions where many crimes, including state crimes are processed 
through the federal courts. Among the provisions that would benefit the 
District and many other jurisdictions is a section that protects 
victims from repeat offenders. The bill requires consultation with a 
victim prior to a detention hearing in order to obtain information that 
can be presented to the court on the issue of any threat that the 
suspected offender may pose to the safety of the victim. The bill also 
requires greater notification to the victim in case of the release, 
escape, parole or furlough of the offender.
  There have been many reports of victim reluctance to testify out of 
fear of harm to a victim or her family. Understandable reluctance by a 
victim to expose herself to further victimization must be met with 
strong laws, concrete assistance and services, or crime will not be 
deterred.
  I urge my colleagues to quickly bring relief and reassurance to 
victims of federal and state crimes by enacting the Crime Victims 
Assistance Act of 2003.

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