[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 60 (Friday, April 11, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 424--SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF 2014 
 NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK, WHICH INCLUDE INCREASING PUBLIC 
AWARENESS OF THE RIGHTS, NEEDS, AND CONCERNS OF, AND SERVICES AVAILABLE 
     TO ASSIST, VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. WICKER (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Schumer) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 424

       Whereas in 2011, there were approximately 6,000,000 victims 
     and survivors of violent crime and more than 17,000,000 
     victims and survivors of property crime in the United States;
       Whereas according to the National Crime Victimization 
     Survey, nonfatal violent crime in the United States increased 
     by 17 percent and property crime in the United States 
     increased by 11 percent between 2010 and 2011;
       Whereas according to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program of 
     the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ``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 survivors and ensuring that 
     resources and services are available to help rebuild the 
     lives of such victims and survivors;
       Whereas despite impressive accomplishments between 1974 and 
     2014 in increasing the rights of, and services available to, 
     crime victims and survivors, and the families of such victims 
     and survivors, many challenges remain to ensure that all 
     crime victims and survivors, and the families of such victims 
     and survivors, are--
       (1) treated with dignity, fairness, and respect;
       (2) offered support and services regardless of whether such 
     victims and survivors 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 such victims and survivors report crimes;
       Whereas crime victims and survivors in the United States, 
     and the families of such victims and survivors, need and 
     deserve support and assistance to help cope with the often 
     devastating consequences of crime;
       Whereas 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of 
     the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.) 
     (referred to in this preamble as ``VOCA''), which is the 
     hallmark of the commitment of the Federal Government to 
     supporting rights and services for victims and survivors of 
     all types of crime;
       Whereas VOCA established the Crime Victims Fund, which is 
     paid for by criminal fines and penalties, rather than by 
     taxpayer dollars;
       Whereas the Crime Victims Fund has collected more than 
     $20,400,000,000 from criminals to be used exclusively to help 
     victims and survivors of crime;
       Whereas during each year between 1984 and 2014, 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, and 
     the families of such victims and survivors;
       Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for a 
     renewed commitment to serving all victims and survivors of 
     crime in the 21st century;
       Whereas the theme of 2014 National Crime Victims' Rights 
     Week, celebrated during the week of April 6 through April 12, 
     2014, is ``30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice'' and 
     highlights the many challenges that confront crime-victim 
     assistance, justice, and public safety; and
       Whereas the people of the United States recognize and 
     appreciate the continued importance of--
       (1) promoting the rights of, and services for, crime 
     victims and survivors; and
       (2) honoring crime victims and survivors and individuals 
     who provide services for such victims and survivors: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the mission and goals of 2014 National Crime 
     Victims' Rights Week, which include increasing individual and 
     public awareness of--
       (A) the impact of crime on victims and survivors, and the 
     families of such victims and survivors;
       (B) the challenges to achieving justice for victims and 
     survivors of crime, and the families of such victims and 
     survivors; and
       (C) the many solutions to meet such challenges;
       (2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors, and the 
     families of such victims and survivors, should be treated 
     with dignity, fairness, and respect; and
       (3) recognizes the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the 
     Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.).

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