[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 104 (Thursday, July 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        REMEMBERING MICHIGAN STATE SENATOR BILL VAN REGENMORTER

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a 
leader in the victims' rights movement, former Michigan State Senator 
Bill van Regenmorter.
  It was fitting that flags in Michigan were flown at half-mast 
following Bill's death. Many news reports in Michigan detailed his 
significant contributions to the people of his beloved state and, most 
especially, his long advocacy and legislative accomplishments on behalf 
of crime victims and survivors. I feel it is fitting to equally 
recognize that Bill's contributions go far beyond the borders of 
Michigan. As one of the earliest state legislators to draft and enact 
crime victims' rights legislation, Bill was extraordinarily generous in 
sharing his experiences, insights and innovations with those of us in 
other states dedicated to the same cause. His hand can indeed be seen 
in similar laws in dozens of other states. Bill's tireless efforts were 
recognized in 2009 by the U.S. Department of Justice, when he received 
the Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award from the Office for 
Victims of Crime.
  There is no question that without Bill van Regenmorter, we could not 
have made as much progress as we have in securing crime victims' rights 
throughout our entire nation. As a Texas judge, I can attest that we 
tapped Bill's wisdom and expertise in the late 1980s to develop our own 
``Victims' Bill of Rights''--an important law that, to this day, 
provides a strong foundation for the fair treatment of crime victims in 
my state.
  In Bill's own words, ``victim empowerment has brought integrity to 
the system that wasn't there before.'' Bill's legacy can be found in 
his pioneering efforts that empowered countless crime victims and those 
who serve them to stand up for victims' rights, and his inspiration for 
anyone concerned about individual and community safety to, as he did 
throughout his entire life, get involved and make a positive 
difference.
  The U.S. Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus sends its condolences 
to Bill's wife Cheryl and his family, and his ``extended family'' of 
crime victims, survivors and victim advocates who benefit today and in 
the future from his pioneering efforts.
  And that's just the way it is.

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