A RESOLUTION

 

1Designating the week of April 21 through 27, 2013, as "Crime
2Victims' Rights Week" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Each year approximately 23 million Americans are
4victimized by crime, 5.2 million of whom are victims of violent
5crime; and

6WHEREAS, The millions of survivors of crime and their
7families are no less deserving of justice, rights, resources,
8restoration and rehabilitation than the violent offenders who
9victimize them; and

10WHEREAS, Americans recognize that we make our homes,
11neighborhoods and communities safer and stronger by serving
12victims of crime and ensuring justice for all; and

13WHEREAS, Crime victims play an indispensable role in bringing
14offenders to justice; and

1WHEREAS, In the United States Department of Justice, the
2Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established to enhance the
3capacity to assist crime victims and to promote justice and
4healing for all victims of crimes; and

5WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, crime victims and their
6advocates have made unparalleled progress toward balancing the
7scales of justice in the criminal justice system; and

8WHEREAS, Since 1981, the OVC has helped lead communities
9throughout this nation in its observances of the "National Crime
10Victims' Rights Week" in an effort to bolster public awareness
11about the challenges crime victims face and to celebrate the
12hard-won progress in victims' rights and services; and

13WHEREAS, Victim service providers, criminal justice officials
14and concerned citizens throughout this nation are joining
15together to observe "National Crime Victims' Rights Week"; and

16WHEREAS, The theme for this year's "Crime Victims' Rights
17Week" is "Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past" for crime
18victims' rights; therefore be it

19RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives reaffirm its
20commitment to address victims' rights and criminal justice
21issues; and be it further

22RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
23week of April 21 through 27, 2013, as "Crime Victims' Rights
24Week" in Pennsylvania.