PRINTER'S NO. 3223
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
785
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY DELOZIER, MARSICO, BRADFORD, R. BROWN, BURNS,
CALTAGIRONE, CORBIN, SCHLEGEL CULVER, DiGIROLAMO, DRISCOLL,
DUSH, GREINER, A. HARRIS, HENNESSEY, JAMES, M. K. KELLER,
KINSEY, LONGIETTI, MILLARD, B. MILLER, MURT, NEILSON,
O'NEILL, OBERLANDER, READSHAW, ROEBUCK, ROTHMAN, RYAN,
SCHLOSSBERG, SCHWEYER, SONNEY, STAATS, STEPHENS, TOEPEL,
TOOHIL, WARD AND WATSON, APRIL 2, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 2, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of April 8 through 14, 2018, as "Crime
Victims' Rights Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, In 2015, nearly 845,000 crimes were reported to
police in Pennsylvania of which one-third were Part 1 crimes
which include murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape,
robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor
vehicle theft and arson; and
WHEREAS, While this is a slight improvement over the previous
year, that means at least 750,000 Pennsylvanians were victimized
by crime and more than 300,000 of them were victims of violent
crime; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly has repeatedly affirmed that
the survivors of crime and their families are no less deserving
of justice, rights, resources, restoration and rehabilitation
than the violent offenders who victimize them; and
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WHEREAS, Americans recognize that we make our homes,
neighborhoods and communities safer and stronger by serving
victims of crime and ensuring justice for all; and
WHEREAS, Crime victims play an indispensable role in bringing
offenders to justice; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians are well served by the Office of
Victim Advocate which was established by the General Assembly
more than 20 years ago to assist crime victims and promote
justice and healing for all victims of crimes; and
WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, crime victims and their
advocates in every county of this Commonwealth have made
unparalleled progress toward balancing the scales of justice in
the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, For many years, the Office of Victim Advocate has
helped lead communities throughout this Commonwealth in its
observance of "National Crime Victims' Rights Week" to bolster
public awareness about the challenges that crime victims face
and to celebrate the hard-won progress in victims' rights and
services; and
WHEREAS, Victim service providers, criminal justice officials
and concerned citizens throughout this nation are joining
together to observe "National Crime Victims' Rights Week"; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians should be made aware of not only the
strides that have been made to serve victims but the range of
services that are available should they become a victim;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of April 8 through 14, 2018, as "Crime Victims' Rights
Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives reaffirm its
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commitment to address victims' rights and criminal justice
issues through the passage of appropriate legislation.
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