[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10911-10915]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORTING NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 109) supporting the mission and goals 
of 2009 National Crime Victims' 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.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 109

       Whereas 25,000,000 individuals in the United States are 
     victims of crime each year, including over 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 our 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 our Nation must do more to ensure that services are 
     available for underserved segments of the population, 
     including crime victims with disabilities, victims with 
     mental illness, and victims who are teenagers, elderly, or 
     from urban and rural areas or 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 we 
     make our homes, neighborhoods, and communities 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''), the hallmark of 
     the Federal Government's recognition of its commitment to 
     supporting rights and services for victims of all types of 
     crime through the establishment of the Crime Victims Fund, 
     that is paid for by 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' Right 
     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
       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 House of Representatives--
       (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;
       (2) recognizes the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the 
     Victims of Crime Act of 1984; and
       (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.

[[Page 10912]]


  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  House Res. 109 supports the goals and mission of National Crime 
Victims' Rights week, which is being celebrated this week, April 26 
through May 2, 2009. The 2009 National Crime Victims' Rights week theme 
is ``25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime 
Act.''
  Mr. Speaker, each year for the last 25 years, the Office of Victims 
of Crime in the Department of Justice has observed National Crime 
Victims' Rights week along with individuals and communities across the 
country. Victims' rights and crime victims are honored with rallies, 
candlelight vigils, and other commemorative events.
  This week in April is an important time to increase public awareness 
about the needs and concerns of the 25 million victims and survivors of 
crime each year, of which over 6 million are victims of violent crimes.
  During National Crime Victims' Rights week, people are asked to take 
time out to acknowledge the impact that crime has on families, 
individuals, and communities by ensuring that resources and services 
are available to help crime victims rebuild their lives.
  We would also like to acknowledge the 25 years of contributions that 
the Office of Victims of Crime has made to supporting victims of both 
violent and nonviolent crime. A major aspect of the office's work has 
been the creation and supervision of the Crime Victims Fund. This fund 
is paid for by criminal fines and penalties and supplemented with 
general tax revenue as needed. Over the last 25 years, the Crime 
Victims Fund has collected more than $9 billion from offender fines and 
penalties, which is used solely to assist crime victims. Each year 
these funds support direct services and financial compensation to more 
than 4 million victims of crime.
  This week is also a time to make a commitment to providing more 
resources and services to crime victims who live in underserved areas 
such as urban and rural areas. This is also time to pay special 
attention to victims of crime who suffer from physical and mental 
disabilities in addition to child and senior citizens who may be 
victims of crime.
  Mr. Speaker, we should be doing more to invest in crime prevention 
and therefore reducing the number of victims, but meanwhile this 
resolution gives us the opportunity to celebrate victims' rights and 
their dignity. We should ensure that victims are treated with the 
dignity and respect that they deserve, and doing that will promote a 
fair and just criminal justice system. For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, 
I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague and friend Mr. Costa 
from California as an original sponsor of this resolution to recognize 
and support the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights 
Week. Together, Mr. Costa and myself chair the Congressional Victims' 
Rights Caucus. The caucus is comprised of Members from both sides of 
the aisle who are dedicated to protecting the interests and needs of 
crime victims throughout our country. Crime victim issues are not 
partisan. They are nonpartisan issues, Mr. Speaker, and affect everyone 
in this country.
  In 1980, President Ronald Reagan first called for a national 
observance to recognize and honor the millions of crime victims and 
those survivors in this country. Since then, Victims' Rights Week has 
been proclaimed annually with ceremonies and observances here in 
Washington, D.C. and thousands of communities throughout the Nation.
  Each April, the Office for Victims of Crime, called the OVC, 
organizes a weeklong series of activities and rallies to increase 
public awareness of the rights, the needs and concerns of crime victims 
in the United States. The theme of this year's National Crime Victims' 
Rights Week is ``25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims 
of Crime Act.''
  In 1984, the Victims of Crime Act, called VOCA, created the VOCA 
fund, a Federal victims compensation account funded by fines assessed 
in Federal criminal convictions. This is a collection of criminal 
fines, not taxpayer dollars.
  The way it works, Mr. Speaker, criminals convicted in Federal Court 
contribute into a fund, as I say paying for the crimes they have 
committed, paying rent on the courthouse, and that fund is used 
exclusively for victims and victims' services throughout the United 
States. It is not a taxpayer-funded fund; it is a fund solely funded by 
criminals. What a novel idea: Make criminals pay to the victims of 
crime, victims that many of them have caused to be victims in the first 
place.
  Also the Victims of Crime Act establishes the Office for Victims of 
Crime to distribute those funds throughout the United States. In fact, 
with the help of the OVC, there are now 10,000 victim assistance 
programs providing emotional, financial, physical and spiritual support 
every day. All of these organizations owe to some extent their 
existence because of the VOCA funds that were established by Congress 
many years ago.
  VOCA is the only Federal fund that caters to the needs of victims. 
Each year, about 4,400 agencies and almost 3.5 million victims receive 
support and financial compensation from this fund funded by criminals. 
Just to clarify, this money that is collected is used to help victims 
and their families.
  This year, during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we celebrate 
that the VOCA fund has been assisting victims for over 25 years and has 
distributed literally billions of dollars since its inception. 
Currently there are $6.5 billion in this fund, funds that will be given 
to victims and victims services. It is important that we as Members of 
Congress make sure that the bureaucrats, however, don't see this fund 
and take the fund and use it for other services in the United States 
that have nothing to do with victims.
  While the events of this week provide excellent opportunities to 
focus on victims' rights, this issue requires attention by Members of 
Congress so that the VOCA fund is not taken by the bureaucrats and used 
for other purposes.
  Last month, four police officers in Oakland, California, Dan Sakai, 
35, Mark Dunakin, 40, John Hege, 41, and Ervin Romans, 43, were shot to 
death by a 27-year-old parolee. Earlier this month, an armed man walked 
into a New York Immigration and Naturalization service center and shot 
17 people, killing 13 and wounding four others.
  The National Center For Victims of Crime reports that during 2008 a 
child was reported abused or neglected almost every 35 seconds. In my 
home State of Texas alone, there were more than 83,000 separate 
allegations of abuse or neglect confirmed by Child Protective Services.
  Crime victims, Mr. Speaker, are not statistics. They are real men, 
women and children with families and loved ones, and those victims who 
manage to survive the acts of violence must not be excluded from the 
criminal justice system. Their voices must be heard, and in honor of 
every victim, we renew our commitment to protect the rights of crime 
victims and provide them effective assistance programs, and we also 
commend the countless professionals and volunteers who have dedicated 
literally their lives to help victims and survivors of crime.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the chief sponsor of the legislation who, along with Mr. 
Poe, introduced this important resolution, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa).
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia 
for his leadership and his support for this important House Resolution, 
H. Res. 109, which I rise today to introduce.
  As has been stated by my colleagues, this resolution supports the 
mission and goals of National Crime Victims'

[[Page 10913]]

Rights Week, to designate this week, April 26 to May 2, as National 
Crime Victims' Rights Week. Congressman Ted Poe and I introduced this 
resolution on behalf of our fellow Victims' Rights Caucus members who 
have been supportive of our efforts over the last 4 years.
  As was noted, in 1980 President Reagan first called for the national 
observance to recognize and honor the millions of victims and their 
families and survivors who have been victims, sadly, of crime in 
America.
  This year, we mark the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the 
Victims of Crime Act of 1984, better known as VOCA. This legislation 
has supported rights and services for crime victims for the last 25 
years, and quite successfully. It has done it without the use of a 
single dime from American taxpayer dollars.
  The Victims of Crime Act, the VOCA funds, are supported by fines and 
penalties that come from the criminals who have perpetrated these 
crimes. These funds are used by State and local organizations to help 
people through their difficult time periods after experiencing a crime 
that they have been victimized by. There are over 4,400 agencies across 
the country which depend upon VOCA funding. These agencies serve near 
in excess of 3.5 million crime victims each year, sadly.
  This resolution also honors the lives that have been rebuilt over the 
last 25 years as a result of all the good efforts by these local 
agencies throughout our country. These are millions of people working 
in victim organizations who have dedicated their lives to assisting 
people through these terrible, terrible time periods, and each and 
every one of them I think deserves a thank you from all of us as 
Members of Congress.
  When I arrived in Washington, Congressman Poe and I discovered that 
there was not a caucus that was dedicated for the purpose of 
recognizing those victims of crime. So Congressman Ted Poe and I 
decided to form a new bipartisan congressional caucus that would 
provide a louder voice for all the advocacy groups who advocate on 
behalf of victims of crime.
  The Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, of which I am proud to be a 
cochair of, frankly, has done a lot of good efforts over the last 4 
years, and we encourage Members who are listening and their staff who 
are not members of this bipartisan congressional caucus that you join 
our efforts.
  We have three simple goals. The first is to represent crime victims 
in the United States through bipartisan introduction of legislation 
that reflects the interests, rights and needs of victims of crime. Two, 
our goal is to provide an ongoing forum for proactive discussion 
between Congress and national victims' assistance organizations to 
enhance mutual education and legislation advocacy and initiatives which 
promote justice for all, including the victims of crime. Three, to seek 
opportunities for public education initiatives to help people in the 
United States understand the impact of crime on victims and to 
encourage their involvement in crime prevention, which is the best sort 
of effort we can possibly do. An ounce of prevention, as we all know, 
is worth a pound of cure. And also to provide victim assistance and 
community safety throughout our neighborhoods across this great land of 
ours.
  I want to thank again the gentleman from Virginia. I want to thank 
Congressman Ted Poe, my cochair of the caucus, for all of your efforts 
on behalf of Members who work on behalf of those who are victims of 
crime.
  Finally, my fellow colleagues, crime, as we know, knows no boundary, 
knows no demographic, or congressional district boundary. Sadly, crime 
affects in some capacity all Americans at some point in life.
  When our families, when our friends and when our neighbors are in 
need of assistance after a crime, they should not be met with a closed 
door, but they should be met with open arms. We all have a 
responsibility. This is not simply the domain of local law enforcement 
agencies, which play a tremendous role, but we as Americans all have a 
responsibility to help out in our communities.
  So I want to thank those members of the Congressional Victims' Rights 
Caucus, I want to thank those who support this resolution, H. Res. 109, 
and encourage all of my colleagues to support important legislation 
that we will pursue in the 111th Congress.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman from Virginia for leading 
this resolution, but also I do want to thank my friend from California, 
Mr. Costa, for not only sponsoring this legislation, but for his hard 
work nationally on victims' rights and the movement. He literally 
started the victims' rights movement in California, the State that we 
owe a lot to for the victims' right movement when he was in the State 
legislature there in California, and he has brought his passion to help 
victims of crime to the United States Congress, and we are all better 
for that.
  Last week in honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the 
Victim's Rights Caucus, as Mr. Costa mentioned, had several preliminary 
events. One was the fourth annual Victim's Rights Caucus awards 
ceremony.
  At the awards ceremony last Wednesday night, Mr. Costa and myself 
joined other Members of the House, Mr. Shadegg from Arizona, Mr. 
Yarmuth from Kentucky and Mr. Reichert from Washington in honoring six 
outstanding victim advocates and victim programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the names and the awards of 
these six recipients.

             2009 Victims' Rights Caucus Awards Recipients

       (1) Suzanne McDaniel Public Awareness Award--Katherine 
     Cabaniss. Ms. Cabaniss is the Executive Director of Houston 
     Crime Stoppers. As a former Assistant District Attorney, she 
     has a passion for preventing and fighting crime. During her 
     time with Crime Stoppers, Ms. Cabaniss has built strategic 
     alliances with people and organizations who assist victims of 
     crime, including local school districts, apartment property 
     management companies, and women's shelters. She has 
     strengthened Crime Stoppers relationship with the media, and 
     in doing so, has used her voice to promote safe communities 
     and justice for victims of crime. Cabaniss was nominated by 
     Representative Ted Poe (TX-02).
       (2) Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim 
     Advocacy--Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual 
     Assault. The Alliance represents everything that Mr. Stout 
     worked so hard for during his work on behalf of crime victims 
     and survivors. They are a nonprofit, grassroots organization 
     that since 1979 has provided support and services to victims 
     of domestic violence and sexual assault in Kern County and 
     the surrounding area. These services are free, and are 
     bilingual, which serves Kern County's diverse ethnic 
     background. Their strong focus on assisting victims of 
     violence against women in rural areas is remarkable. The 
     Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault was 
     nominated by Representative Jim Costa (CA-20).
       (3) Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim 
     Advocacy--Sheryl Cates. Ms. Cates has spent the last 25 years 
     advocating for victims of domestic violence at all levels. As 
     Executive Director at Women's Protective Services in Lubbock, 
     TX, Ms. Cates worked directly with victims as well as 
     supervising staff who provide services to victims. Also, as 
     CEO of the Texas council on Family Violence, National 
     Domestic Violence Hotline and loveisrespect.org National Teen 
     Dating Abuse Helpline, Ms. Cates is recognized nationally as 
     an expert in the field of domestic violence and as someone 
     who can be counted on to participate in any efforts to 
     support the needs of victims and their families. Cates was 
     nominated by Representative Lamar Smith (TX-21)
       (4) Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation--Steve 
     Twist. Mr. Twist has worked tirelessly to ensure that every 
     jurisdiction in America provides victims with rights in the 
     criminal justice system and that those rights are enforceable 
     by the individual victim. He has worked as counsel to the 
     Navajo Nation, aiding in the drafting of various victim 
     provisions, and is the principal author of the Arizona 
     constitutional amendment for victims' rights and the Arizona 
     Victims' Rights Implementation Act, which together are the 
     strongest victims' rights legal provisions in the country. 
     Mr. Twist was nominated by Representative John Shadegg (AZ-
     03)
       (5) Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award--Jenny Wieland Ms. 
     Wieland's 17 year old daughter and only child was murdered by 
     another teen in 1992. She turned her pain into purpose and 
     has worked tirelessly to reduce youth violence, in hopes that 
     other mothers

[[Page 10914]]

      would not have to experience the loss of a child to a 
     violent crime. In 1994, Jenny Wieland became a founding board 
     member of Mothers Against Violence in America (MAVIA). In 
     early 1995, she left a career as an insurance broker to 
     become MAVIA's Program Director and first employee. During 
     her seven-year tenure with MAVIA, she helped create and 
     implement MAVIA's many national and local programs, including 
     the acclaimed Washington State model of Day of National 
     Concern About Young People and Gun Violence, which encourages 
     young Americans in classrooms and communities across the 
     country to sign the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. 
     Currently, Wieland is serving as Executive Director of 
     Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims in Washington 
     State. Wieland was nominated by Representative Dave Reichert 
     (WA-08)
       (6) Allied Profession Award--Michael Davis, President of 
     Appriss, Inc. Mr. Davis is the cofounder and president of 
     Appriss, the provider of local, state and federal automated 
     victim information and notification services and automated 
     victim protection order services. In 1994, Mary Byron was 
     murdered on her 21st birthday by her former boyfriend who was 
     in jail in Louisville, Kentucky. Mary and her parents asked 
     to be notified if and when he was released, which did not 
     happen. In response to this preventable tragedy, Davis and 
     his partner created VINE' (Victim Information and 
     Notification Everyday), which provides confidential, around-
     the-clock notifications to victims about the status of their 
     offenders. VINE keeps crime victims and survivors informed 
     and involved in their cases, in turn promoting personal and 
     community safety. Today, Appriss provides VINE and related 
     services to more than 75% of our nation. States participating 
     in the Statewide Automated Victim Information and 
     Notification (SAVIN) grant program have entrusted Appriss as 
     their technology provider. Davis was nominated by 
     Representative John Yarmuth (KY-03).

  Mr. POE of Texas. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to a strong supporter of victims, a former law enforcement 
officer, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).
  Mr. STUPAK. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Costa, for introducing this 
resolution. As a former Escanaba City police officer, a Michigan State 
police trooper and as an attorney, I saw every day the effect of crime 
on our citizens. Crime leaves its victims feeling unsafe in their own 
communities and vulnerable to the often complicated judicial system.
  As the cochairman of the Law Enforcement Caucus, I know that when a 
crime is committed, our law enforcement agencies work hard so the 
criminal is brought to justice. But there is another part to the 
equation. The victim of crime must be provided with assistance and 
support to recover from this often traumatic experience.
  Our law enforcement agencies work with the court system to ensure 
that victims of crime are treated fairly and with respect to one's 
dignity and privacy. We must step up to the plate and show our strong 
commitment to the criminal justice system by ensuring that victims of 
crimes feel safe in their own communities.
  The creation of the National Crime Victims' Crime Week is a good 
first step to increase public awareness of the rights and needs of 
victims of crime. Congress should go even further by ensuring the legal 
protections are in place to protect victims of crime.
  During the National Law Enforcement Week in May, I will introduce an 
amendment to the United States Constitution to protect the rights of 
all victims. I hope you will join me in ensuring our Constitution 
explicitly supports the rights of victims of crime.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of House Resolution 109 to 
create the National Crime Victims' Rights Week of 2009 and to 
commemorate the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of 
Crime Act of 1984.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is because of the pioneering 
efforts of many, including President Reagan and his 1982 Task Force on 
Victims of Crime, that we are able to celebrate the 25th anniversary of 
the Victims of Crime Act. We must remember that the same Constitution 
that protects the rights of offenders protects the rights of victims of 
crime in this country as well.
  I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting in resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from California, the gentleman from Texas, as well as the gentleman 
from Michigan, for their work on behalf of victims of crime, and I urge 
my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 109, supporting the mission and goals of 2009 National Crime 
Victims' Rights week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, 
an 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. I thank Congressman Costa, Congressman Poe, 
Congresswoman Matsui, Congressman Marchant, and Congressman Moran for 
introducing this meaningful resolution which recognizes and 
acknowledges the over 25 million individuals that are victims of crimes 
each year in this country. I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution. As members of Congress, we need to acknowledge the impact 
of crime on individuals, families, and communities and we need to 
ensure that rights, resources, and services are available to help 
rebuild lives.
  This resolution is important because while our nation has steadily, 
and rightfully, expanded rights, protections and services for victims 
of crimes, too many victims are still not able to realize the hope and 
promise of the gains. Our country must do more to ensure that services 
are available for underserved segments of the population, including 
crime victims with disabilities, victims with mental illness, and 
victims who are teenagers, elderly, or from urban and rural areas or 
communities of color. According the National Center for Victims:
  One person is murdered every 31 minutes.
  One person is raped every 1.9 minutes.
  One person is assaulted every 36.9 seconds.
  One home is burglarized every 18 seconds.
  One woman is victimized by an intimate partner every 52 seconds.
  One child is reported abused or neglected every 34.9 seconds.
  One person is killed in an alcohol-related crash every 40.4 minutes.
  One person becomes a victim of identity theft every 4.9 seconds.
  One elderly person is victimized by a violent crime every 4.2 
minutes.
  We must observe victims' rights and treat victims with dignity and 
respect and engage them in the justice system, which will also further 
gain respect for public authorities and promote confidence in public 
safety. The people of this country will be safer and stronger by 
serving victims of crime and ensuring justice for all.
  It is necessary that we, as members of Congress, mark the anniversary 
of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. This Act is the 
hallmark of the Federal Government's recognition of its commitment to 
supporting rights and services for victims of all types of crime 
through the establishment of the Crime Victims Fund. This fund is paid 
by criminal fines and penalties, not tax payer dollars. The fund has 
collected more than $9 billion from offender fines and penalties to be 
used exclusively to help victims of crime. These funds have aided the 
more than 4 million victims of crime a year. The money provides medical 
care, counseling and funeral costs. This act has encouraged other 
programs to also transfer offender fines into help for victim 
rehabilitation.
  The theme of the 2009 National Crime Victim's right Week, celebrated 
April 26-May 2, 2009 is ``25 years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the 
Victims of Crime Act''. This theme highlights the Act's significant 
achievements and contributions in advancing rights and services for all 
crime victims. This week will provide 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.
  I encourage my colleagues to pass this resolution so that we can 
increase the public awareness of the impact of crime on victims and 
survivors, and of the constitutional and statutory rights and needs of 
victims of crime. This resolution will recognize the 25th anniversary 
of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. It will also 
direct the clerk of the House of Representatives 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.
  In Harris County, within the 18th District of Texas, which I proudly 
represent, the Houston Mayor's Crime Victims Office has a saying,

[[Page 10915]]

``Crime victims are the only unwilling participants in our criminal 
justice system; everyone else chooses their own roles. Victims' rights 
are often a mere courtesy, while defendants' rights--and rightfully 
so--are protected in our Constitution. Victims' rights deserve the same 
protection.'' While Harris County is fortunate to have some of the 
Nation's finest victim service organizations, such as the Houston Area 
Women's Center, Parents of Murdered Children, AVDA, MADD and Family 
Time, as well as victim liaisons staffed from our criminal justice 
partners it is far from immune from crime. The Harris County Victim 
Witness Division, alone, assisted over 30,000 victims of crime last 
year and helped them receive $16.9 million in restitution.
  I have been and continue to be an advocate for victims of crime most 
importantly with my latest legislation, H.R. 262, the David Ray 
Ritcheson Hate Crime Prevention Act which I also introduced in the 
110th Congress. I twice sponsored a resolution expressing the sense of 
Congress that the people of the United States should grieve for the 
loss of life that defined the Third Reich and celebrate the continued 
education efforts for tolerance and justice, reaffirming the commitment 
of United States to fight against intolerance and prejudice in any 
form, and honoring the legacy of transparent procedure, government 
accountability, the rule of law, the pursuit of justice, and the 
struggle for universal freedom and human rights. Additionally, I 
sponsored H.R. 5610, in the 109th Congress, the Foreign Anti-Sex 
Offender Protection Act of 2006. I have co-sponsored numerous bills 
that benefit victims of crimes.
  Nobody wants, or deserves, to be a victim of crime. I urge my 
colleagues to pass this Resolution and acknowledge and support these 
unfortunate victims.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 109.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________