[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 17253-17254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8831]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 68 / Wednesday, April 9, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 17253]]

                Proclamation 7659 of April 4, 2003

                
National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Crime brings trauma, pain, and insecurity into the 
                lives of too many Americans each year. As we work to 
                reduce crime and protect the rights of the accused, we 
                must take equal care to protect the rights of their 
                victims. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we 
                remember those who have suffered as a result of crime 
                and honor those who have helped these victims.

                Americans suffered over 24 million crimes in 2001, 5.7 
                million of which involved violence. While we have 
                improved policies and our justice system has treated 
                victims with greater respect in recent years, we must 
                continue our work to ensure the full rights of all 
                crime victims and better protect our citizens. My 
                Administration believes that victims of violent crime 
                have important rights that deserve protection in our 
                Constitution, and to guarantee these rights, I strongly 
                support the passage of the bipartisan Crime Victims' 
                Rights Amendment. This amendment will provide victims 
                of violent crime the right to reasonable and timely 
                notice of any public proceedings involving the crime or 
                release of the perpetrator, and the right to be heard 
                at public proceedings regarding the criminal's sentence 
                or potential release. It will also assure that such 
                victims receive timely notice of any escape of their 
                attacker. Under this amendment, decision makers will 
                duly consider the victim's safety and payment of 
                restitution from the offender to the victim. This 
                important amendment will strike the right balance in 
                protecting individual rights and ensuring fairness and 
                equity in our criminal justice system.

                Across our Nation, victims' rights groups work on 
                behalf of victims every day. Through care and 
                compassion, these groups and individuals are bringing 
                hope and comfort to their neighbors in need. Domestic 
                violence shelters, support groups for families of 
                homicide victims, rape crisis centers, and other 
                organizations in our cities and communities offer vital 
                assistance to individuals who have been affected by 
                crime. In times of such crises, counselors, hotline 
                operators, clergy, doctors, nurses, law enforcement, 
                and countless others also help their fellow Americans 
                cope with their pain and suffering.

                As a Nation, we must continue to seek justice on behalf 
                of all people who have been victimized by crime. The 
                heroes in these efforts are the individuals and 
                organizations who work to provide valuable support and 
                assistance to those who have suffered from crime. This 
                week allows us to recognize these heroes and renew our 
                commitment to fulfilling the promise of our Nation of 
                justice for all.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 6 through April 12, 
                2003, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I 
                encourage every community to embrace the cause of 
                victims' rights and to advance it in all sectors of our 
                society.

[[Page 17254]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-8831
Filed 4-8-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P.