PRINTER'S NO. 738
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
116
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY KIRKLAND, BIZZARRO, HILL-EVANS, McNEILL,
CALTAGIRONE, LONGIETTI, KINSEY, READSHAW, SCHLOSSBERG,
MARKOSEK, T. DAVIS, YOUNGBLOOD, MURT, NEILSON, McCLINTON,
WARREN, BULLOCK, DAVIDSON, FITZGERALD AND WHEATLEY,
MARCH 6, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 6, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating October 30, 2019, as "Violent Crime Survivors'
Assistance and Grief Support Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Violent crimes impact every community in this
Commonwealth, with more than 40,000 offenses committed in 2016;
and
WHEREAS, Nearly half of these violent crimes were committed
in the five-county southeastern region of this Commonwealth,
including more than 15,000 in Philadelphia and more than 2,100
in Delaware County; and
WHEREAS, Violent crimes leave a trail of victims and
survivors who need and deserve support services provided with
compassion and accountability as they cope and recover; and
WHEREAS, The victims' movement began slowly after World War
II, fueled by the recognition of the evils of genocide
perpetrated by Nazi Germany; and
WHEREAS, The movement gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s
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with rising social consciousness and through the passage of
Federal laws, including the Victim and Witness Protection Act of
1982, the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 and the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth recognizes victims' rights to
receive advocacy and notification of significant actions in
criminal proceedings and their rights to restitution,
compensation and prompt return of seized property; and
WHEREAS, Crime victims who do not receive support services
are more likely to develop a substance abuse problem, experience
depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, become
underemployed or unemployed and have higher health care costs
over their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 370,000 victims have received support
services through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency's Office of Victims' Services; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recognizes violence as a public health issue that can be reduced
with proven prevention programs addressing social, emotional,
behavioral and family dynamics; and
WHEREAS, Municipal support for reducing violence and
providing services to survivors is imperative for building
strong links between the community, law enforcement, support
groups and other entities; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting that we honor the bravery of crime
survivors and the dedication of those providing vital help to
survivors across this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth must raise awareness of the
resources and support services available to all victims and
survivors of violent crimes; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate October
30, 2019, as "Violent Crime Survivors' Assistance and Grief
Support Day" in Pennsylvania.
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