[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 120--SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF 2013 
NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE 
   RIGHTS, NEEDS, AND CONCERNS OF, AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST, 
          VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES.

  Mr. LEAHY (for Mr. Wicker (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Schumer, and 
Mr. Grassley)) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 120

       Whereas, in 2011, there were nearly 6,000,000 victims of 
     violent crime and more than 17,000,000 victims of property 
     crime in the United States;
       Whereas, according to National Crime Victimization Survey, 
     non-fatal violent crime increased by 17 percent and property 
     crime increased by 11 percent in the United States between 
     2010 and 2011;
       Whereas, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
     Uniform Crime Reporting, ``law enforcement agencies 
     throughout the nation reported an increase of 1.9 percent in 
     the number of violent crimes brought to their attention for 
     the first 6 months of 2012 when compared with figures 
     reported for the same time in 2011'';
       Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on 
     individuals, families, schools, and communities by protecting 
     the rights of crime victims and ensuring that resources, and 
     services are available to help rebuild lives;
       Whereas, despite impressive accomplishments during the last 
     40 years in increasing the rights of, and services available 
     to, crime victims and survivors, many challenges remain to 
     ensure that all victims are--
       (1) treated with dignity, fairness, and respect;
       (2) offered support and services regardless of whether 
     victims report crimes committed against them; and
       (3) recognized as key participants within the criminal, 
     juvenile, Federal, tribal, and civil justice systems in the 
     United States when victims do report crimes;
       Whereas victims and survivors of crime in the United States 
     need and deserve support and assistance to help them cope 
     with the often devastating consequences of crime;
       Whereas, during each of the last 31 years, communities 
     across the United States have joined Congress and the 
     Department of Justice in commemorating National Crime 
     Victims' Rights Week to celebrate a shared vision of a 
     comprehensive and collaborative response that identifies and 
     addresses the many needs of crime victims and survivors;
       Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for a 
     renewed commitment to serving all victims of crime in the 
     21st century;
       Whereas the theme of 2013 National Crime Victims' Rights 
     Week, celebrated from April 21 through April 27, 2013, is 
     ``New Challenges, New Solutions'', which highlights the many 
     challenges that confront the fields of crime victim 
     assistance, justice, and public safety; and
       Whereas the people of the United States recognize and 
     appreciate the continued importance of promoting the rights 
     of, and services for, crime victims, and of honoring crime 
     victims, survivors, and those who provide services for them: 
     Now, therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the mission and goals of 2013 National Crime 
     Victims' Rights Week to increase individual and public 
     awareness of--
       (A) the impact of crime on victims and survivors; and
       (B) the challenges to achieving justice for victims, and 
     the many solutions that can meet these challenges; and
       (2) recognizes that dignity, fairness, and respect 
     constitute the very foundation of how crime victims and 
     survivors should be treated.

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