[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     VICTIMS' RIGHTS AWARENESS WEEK

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                         HON. KATHERINE HARRIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Ms. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Victims' 
Rights Caucus, I rise to urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 
378, in recognition of the goals of National Crime Victims' Rights 
Week.
  In 2004, according to the Department of Justice's National Crime 
Victimization Survey, approximately 24 million Americans became victims 
of a criminal action, including 5.2 million acts of violence.
  While I celebrate the fact that this marks the lowest level ever 
recorded, I remain committed to providing a voice and a helping hand to 
those whose freedoms have been infringed.
  In tribute to the more than 10,000 system- and community-based 
assistance programs that serve as a vital role in the recovery process, 
the theme of the 2006 National Crime Victims' Rights Week is ``Strength 
in Unity.''
  Since the passage of the Victims of Crimes Act in 1984, more than $7 
billion in fines and other assessments have been collected from those 
who prey on some of the weakest and most vulnerable members of our 
society.
  Each year thousands of volunteers selflessly contribute their time 
and energy that enables an individual to make the important 
transformation from ``crime victim'' to ``crime survivor.'' Through 
various means of advocacy, we continue our work to ensure that no 
victim, nor family member, is forced to face a legal or medical 
appointment on their own; or, more importantly, left to face an 
anniversary alone.
  Mr. Speaker, when the salacious interest of check-out stand voyeurs 
wanes, and the cable news programs turn their cameras to another 
sensational story, we must remain the crime victims' advocate and ally.

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