[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4085-S4086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 93--A BILL SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF 2009 
 NATIONAL CRIME VICTIM'S 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.

  Mr. SCHUMER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 93

       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

[[Page S4086]]

       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.

                          ____________________