[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19371-19372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9987]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 29, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 19371]]

                Proclamation 8365 of April 24, 2009

                
National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                 From violence in our neighborhoods to credit card 
                fraud on the Internet, Americans fall victim to 
                countless crimes every day. Our Nation has no higher 
                responsibility than protecting the safety of our 
                families. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 
                we honor crime victims by pledging to fight crime 
                wherever it exists.

                 This commitment begins by supporting the men and women 
                working every day to reduce crime and assist crime 
                victims. Often placing themselves in harm's way and 
                sacrificing personal interests, these individuals are 
                the backbone of the extensive efforts to protect 
                Americans from crime. They have demonstrated a 
                commitment to serve others, and their dedication is 
                vital to implementing a successful strategy for crime 
                reduction and victim assistance.

                 Crime victims have benefited from the Victims of Crime 
                Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-473), one of the most 
                significant achievements in crime victim assistance. 
                This law created an innovative method for using fines 
                and penalties from Federal criminals to fund services 
                for victims. This Crime Victims Fund has already helped 
                millions of victims across the country access basic 
                assistance and financial compensation. This year marks 
                the 25th anniversary of the bill's bipartisan passage.

                 An effective approach to fighting crime must include 
                programs that make sense and work. To that end, my 
                Administration is building on past achievements to 
                address the range of crimes that Americans may 
                encounter. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 
                which I signed in February, helps State and local law 
                enforcement personnel perform critical work by 
                providing $2 billion through the Edward Byrne Justice 
                Assistance Grant Program.

                 A smart crime reduction strategy must also incorporate 
                outreach to those who have paid their debt to society 
                and have become responsible and contributing members of 
                their communities. Prisoner reentry programs have been 
                tested and proven effective. Through a number of 
                supportive services, including substance abuse and 
                mental health counseling, prison-to-work incentives, 
                job training, and transitional assistance, reentry 
                programs help reduce crime recidivism and keep families 
                safer. By utilizing common-sense and proven methods, we 
                can both reduce crime and serve crime victims.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim April 26 through May 
                2, 2009, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I call 
                upon all Americans to observe this week by 
                participating in events that raise awareness of 
                victims' rights and services and by volunteering to 
                serve victims in their time of need.

[[Page 19372]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-9987
Filed 4-28-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P