SENATE RESOLUTION 237--SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK IN 2019, WHICH INCLUDE INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE RIGHTS, NEEDS, AND CONCERNS OF, AND SERVICES...; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 94
(Senate - June 05, 2019)
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[Pages S3264-S3265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 237--SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF NATIONAL
CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK IN 2019, WHICH INCLUDE INCREASING PUBLIC
AWARENESS OF THE RIGHTS, NEEDS, AND CONCERNS OF, AND SERVICES AVAILABLE
TO ASSIST, VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES
Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Crapo)
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 237
Whereas, in 2017, according to a survey by the Bureau of
Justice Statistics--
(1) an estimated 5,600,000 violent victimizations were
committed against residents of the United States who were 12
years of age or older; and
(2) households in the United States experienced an
estimated 13,340,000 property victimizations;
Whereas, in 2017, only 45 percent of violent crimes and 36
percent of property victimizations were reported to police;
Whereas, as of 2015, the most conservative estimate for the
economic losses sustained by victims of property crimes and
victims of violent crime was approximately $11,200,000,000
per year;
Whereas the economic cost alone does not fully describe the
emotional, physical, and psychological impact endured by a
victim of crime;
Whereas crime can touch the life of any individual,
regardless of the age, race, national origin, religion, or
gender of the individual;
[[Page S3265]]
Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on
individuals, families, schools, and communities by--
(1) protecting the rights of crime victims and survivors;
and
(2) ensuring that resources and services are available to
help rebuild the lives of the victims and survivors,
including victims' compensation to reimburse victims for out-
of-pocket expenses due to crime;
Whereas, despite impressive accomplishments in increasing
the rights of, and services available to, crime victims and
survivors and the families of the victims and survivors, many
challenges remain to ensure that all crime victims and
survivors and the families of the victims and survivors are--
(1) treated with dignity, fairness, and respect;
(2) offered support and services, regardless of whether the
victims and survivors report crimes committed against them;
and
(3) recognized as key participants within the criminal,
juvenile, Federal, and Tribal justice systems in the United
States when the victims and survivors report crimes;
Whereas crime victims and survivors in the United States
and the families of the victims and survivors need and
deserve support and assistance to help cope with the often
devastating consequences of crime;
Whereas, since Congress passed the first resolution
designating Crime Victims Week in 1985, communities across
the United States have joined Congress and the Department of
Justice in commemorating National Crime Victims' Rights Week
to celebrate a shared vision of a comprehensive and
collaborative response that identifies and addresses the many
needs of crime victims and survivors and the families of the
victims and survivors;
Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for a
renewed commitment to serve all victims and survivors of
crime in the 21st century;
Whereas, in 2019, National Crime Victims' Rights Week was
celebrated from April 7 through April 13, and the theme,
``Honoring our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.'',
celebrates the progress made by those before us as we look to
a future of crime victim services that is even more
inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed;
Whereas engaging communities in victim assistance is
essential in promoting public safety;
Whereas the United States must empower crime victims and
survivors by--
(1) protecting the legal rights of the victims and
survivors; and
(2) providing the victims and survivors with services to
help them in the aftermath of crime; and
Whereas the people of the United States recognize and
appreciate the continued importance of--
(1) promoting the rights of, and services for, crime
victims and survivors; and
(2) honoring crime victims and survivors and individuals
who provide services for the victims and survivors: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the mission and goals of National Crime
Victims' Rights Week, which include increasing individual and
public awareness of--
(A) the impact of crime on victims and survivors and the
families of the victims and survivors; and
(B) the challenges to achieving justice for victims and
survivors of crime and the families of the victims and
survivors and the many solutions available to meet those
challenges; and
(2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors and the
families of the victims and survivors should be treated with
dignity, fairness, and respect.
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