[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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