[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20051-20052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10931]



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Part VII





The President





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Proclamation 7084--National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 1998
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 77 / Wednesday, April 22, 1998 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 7084 of April 20, 1998

                
National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 1998

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every day, thousands of Americans become victims of 
                crime. Many suffer physical injury, and most experience 
                emotional scars that may never fully heal. And all 
                victims of crime, and their families and friends, often 
                remain troubled by feelings of vulnerability and 
                concerned about their personal safety.

                Five years ago, my Administration made a commitment to 
                take back our streets from criminals and to combat the 
                crime and violence that affects so many Americans. With 
                the Crime Act, the Brady Act, the Violence Against 
                Women Act, and other tough legislation, we have put 
                into action a comprehensive anticrime strategy that 
                includes community policing, antigang programs, and 
                strong penalties for criminals.

                Our strategy is working. Crime rates across the country 
                are at a 25-year low. Violent crimes and property 
                crimes have decreased, and the murder rate is down 
                dramatically. While we can take pride in this progress, 
                we cannot afford to become complacent. We must build on 
                the anticrime programs we have put into place if we are 
                to win the war against crime.

                As part of our continuing efforts, this year the 
                Department of Justice is awarding more than $135 
                million in grants under the Violence Against Women 
                program to help State and local authorities reduce 
                domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. These 
                funds will enable communities to train more police, 
                hire prosecutors, and provide assistance to the victims 
                of such crimes. Earlier this month, after thorough 
                study, the Secretary of the Treasury concluded that we 
                should ban more than 50 kinds of modified assault 
                weapons because they accept large-capacity military 
                magazines. By keeping these weapons off our streets and 
                out of the hands of criminals, we will take another 
                crucial step toward halting the scourge of gun violence 
                that has taken such a tragic toll on America's children 
                and families.

                During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we call to 
                mind those whose lives have been so abruptly and often 
                violently changed. This annual observance is also a 
                powerful reminder of the extraordinary capacity of our 
                citizens to face adversity and overcome it. Across 
                America, victims of crime have refused to become 
                victims of a criminal justice system that too often 
                ignores or compromises their rights while protecting 
                the rights of criminals.

                With courage and determination, crime victims and their 
                dedicated advocates have succeeded in winning 
                constitutional amendments in 29 States that guarantee 
                such fundamental rights as protection from further 
                harm, which includes keeping victims and accused 
                criminals in separate rooms during court proceedings; 
                the right of victims to call upon law enforcement if 
                they feel they are being harassed or intimidated in 
                connection with a pending case; and the right to be 
                notified of a convicted criminal's release from 
                incarceration. And after decades of advocacy, a 
                proposed Federal constitutional amendment for victims 
                now lies before the Congress. We have the opportunity--
                and the responsibility--to amend the United States 
                Constitution to ensure that the rights of victims are 
                honored in every court throughout our Nation.

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                This year, our observance of National Crime Victims' 
                Rights Week coincides with the anniversary of the 1995 
                bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 
                Oklahoma City. That tragedy brought home to an entire 
                Nation the extraordinary suffering and grief that can 
                be rendered by a single, senseless, criminal act. In 
                remembering the many victims of this brutal crime, let 
                us pledge to sustain our efforts to reduce violent 
                crime, to provide comfort and support to its victims as 
                they strive to rebuild their lives, and to keep 
                victims' rights a primary concern in America's criminal 
                justice system.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim April 19 through April 25, 
                1998, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I urge 
                all Americans to remember crime victims and their 
                families by working to reduce violence, to assist those 
                harmed by crime, and to make our homes and communities 
                safer places in which to live and raise our families.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-eight, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-second.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 98-10931
Filed 4-21-98; 11:13 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P