[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 4301]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, this week we commemorate National 
Crime Victims' Rights Week, which began this past Sunday and concludes 
this Saturday, April 16, 2016. For the over 20 million people in the 
United States who become crime victims each year, this week offers an 
opportunity for Congress, the Department of Justice, as well as State 
and local law enforcement, communities, and service providers across 
the country to publicly proclaim our support for crime victims and 
survivors.
  The physical, emotional, and psychological impact that crime causes 
for the victims and their loved ones can prove devastating. Crime 
wreaks havoc on our communities. Given these hardships, we must do all 
we can to support and protect survivors by holding their perpetrators 
accountable and ensuring that all victims are treated with dignity, 
fairness, and respect. We can accomplish this aim, at least in part, by 
recognizing the critical position that victims hold within the criminal 
justice process.
  The theme for this year's National Crime Victims' Rights Week is 
``Serving Victims; Building Trust; Restoring Hope.'' In keeping with 
that spirit, I want to recognize and thank the countless professional 
and volunteer victim advocates and service providers. Your dedication 
and commitment to our moms and dads, brothers and sisters, and 
daughters and sons, often during their time of greatest need, is truly 
profound. Thank you, thank you, for being that solid ground and strong 
shoulder supporting our fellow Americans as they fight for justice and 
to once again become whole.
  To the millions of victims and survivors, you are not alone, and you 
have not been silenced. We hear you and pledge to do all we can to 
support you through your recovery. As the Senate Judiciary Committee 
continues to combat the scourge of crime through legislation and 
oversight, we will continue to both acknowledge and honor the needs and 
rights of victims and survivors.

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