[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28283]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JAMES ROWLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 24, 2007

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. James 
Rowland for his years of service to the criminal justice system in 
California, and upon the dedication of the James Rowland Crime Victim 
Assistance Center in Fresno, CA.
  James Rowland, now retired, has provided over 30 years of service to 
all aspects of the criminal justice system in California. In October 
1972 he began his career as a Fresno County chief probation officer, 
where he worked hard to give victims the consideration, fairness, and 
support that he felt was lacking in the system. With these efforts he 
was instrumental in adapting the way the justice system handles crime 
victims. In 1975, as a result of Mr. Rowland's efforts, Fresno County 
Probation Department became the first probation department to open a 
unit specifically designed to provide services to crime victims; 
including victims of homicide, domestic violence, and crimes against 
children. Mr. Rowland developed the first victim impact statement, to 
provide the judiciary with an objective currently part of the law.
  After his time with the Fresno County Probation Office, Mr. Rowland 
served as the director of the California Youth Authority and the 
director of the California Department of Corrections. He established 
the Office of Victims of Crimes in both agencies. While working with 
the state, he instituted classes within the prisons for inmates to 
attend. In these classes they learned about the impact of their crime 
on their victim. Mr. Rowland has also taken the initiative to change 
the justice system within California by developing a system that is 
more accommodating, appreciative, and responsive to the suffering of 
those that are victims of a crime.
  Mr. Rowland's work within California has extended nationwide and even 
worldwide. He has been the recipient of many prestigious awards from 
Peppardine University and Harvard University, as well as various 
criminal justice and private agencies, for his contributions to the 
field of corrections. Mr. Rowland has become internationally known as a 
crime victims advocate, and he has changed the way people perceive the 
victim. In his retirement Mr. Rowland continues to provide direction 
and assistance to persons and agencies that work within the justice 
system.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mr. James 
Rowland for his work toward crime victims assistance and the dedication 
of the James Rowland Crime Victims Assistance Center. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Rowland many years of continued 
success.

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