Supporting The Mission And Goals Of 2010 National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1104) supporting the mission and goals of 2010 National Crime Victims' Rights Week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States, no matter their country of origin or their creed, and to commemorate the National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme of ``Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.''
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I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1104 supports the goals and mission of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, celebrated this week, April 18 through 24.
This year's National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme is ``Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.''
Every April individuals in communities across the country, with the support of the Department of Justice's Office of Victims of Crime, observe National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Rallies, candle-light vigils and many other commemorative events honor crime victims during this observance of victims' rights.
National Crime Victims' Rights Week is observed to highlight the special needs of more than 21 million victims of crime and survivors of crime each year, including over 5 million victims of violent crime. Although the number of murder victims in 2008 fell by almost 4 percent from the previous year, we must remain vigilant in this fight against violent crime.
During this week in April, we take time out to ensure that resources and services are available to help crime victims rebuild their lives and to acknowledge the impact of crime on individuals, families, and communities.
Crime victims suffer not only from the losses that directly result from the crime, but also from the emotional trauma of being victimized. In 2007, total economic loss to victims across the country was $2 billion for violent crime and $16 billion for property crime. This week is also a time to make a commitment to providing more resources to victims of crimes committed in the workplace, in schools, and on college campuses.
In addition, we should pay special attention to children and elderly victims of crime.
National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an occasion to support crime victims. If we don't make a commitment to treating victims with the fairness, dignity, and respect they deserve, it makes it even more difficult for them to heal.
For all these important reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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I would just like to say I appreciate Mr. Royce's comments.
Mr. Speaker, in Tennessee, I worked to pass an antistalking law and was successful in doing it. They are important. Whether it's Kathleen in southern California or Victoria in Texas, they need to be protected, and we need to make sure we have such laws.
I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) to address this subject.
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I appreciate the remarks of Congressman Poe, which were obviously heartfelt.
Mr. Speaker, I think there is bipartisanship within this House in looking out for the victims of crime and in trying to see that there aren't more victims. Sometimes you hear speeches on the floor which are written or which are, maybe, not as personal in nature, but what Mr. Poe said was personal. His experience as a prosecutor and as a criminal court judge came through, and I am privileged to have listened to that and to be able to join in his thoughts of: That's just the way it is.
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