    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 15 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
    [Pages 413-414]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7659--National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2003

     April 4, 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.
        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.
                                                    George W. Bush

    [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 8,
    2003]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April
    9. This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate
    issue.

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