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“SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2278-H2280 on April 15, 2008.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1053) supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights week in order to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1053
Whereas 23,000,000 Americans are victims of crime each year, and of those, 5,200,000 are victims of violent crime;
Whereas a just society acknowledges crime's impact on individuals, families, and communities by ensuring that rights, resources, and services are available to help rebuild lives;
Whereas victims' rights are a critical component of the promise of ``justice for all,'' the foundation for our system of justice in America;
Whereas although our Nation has steadily expanded rights, protections, and services for victims of crime, too many victims are still not able to realize the hope and promise of these gains;
Whereas we must do better to ensure services are available for underserved segments of our population, including crime victims with disabilities, victims with mental illness, victims who are teenagers, victims who are elderly, victims in rural areas, and victims in communities of color;
Whereas observing victims' rights and treating victims with dignity and respect serves the public interest by engaging victims in the justice system, inspiring respect for public authorities, and promoting confidence in public safety;
Whereas America recognizes that we make our homes, neighborhoods, and communities safer and stronger by serving victims of crime and ensuring justice for all;
Whereas our Nation must strive to protect, expand, and observe crime victims' rights so that there truly is justice for victims and justice for all; and
Whereas National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 13, 2008 through April 19, 2008, provides an opportunity for us to strive to reach the goal of justice for all by ensuring that all victims are afforded their legal rights and provided with assistance as they face the financial, physical, and psychological impact of crime: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
(1) supports the mission and goals of the 2008 National Crime Victims' Rights Week in order to increase public awareness of the impact of crime on victims and survivors of crime, and of the rights and needs of such victims and survivors; and
(2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Office for Victims of Crime in the Department of Justice.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, the National Center for Victims of Crime reports that approximately 23 million Americans are victimized by crime each year. Of these, more than 5 million are victims of violent crime.
Victims of crime can suffer from a broad range of adverse effects, ranging from the physical to the psychological. Some experience financial distress resulting from a disruption in employment.
Unfortunately, some of the most vulnerable of our society are also among those who are most commonly the victims of crime. People of color suffer disproportionately from violent crime. The poor and uneducated are often the target of financial schemes. And, sadly, children are victimized more than any other group.
A just society demands that we always bear in mind the suffering that crime victims endure and work to reduce the incidence of the crime that causes that suffering.
This bill will increase public awareness about the effects of crime on its victims and their families as well as our communities.
As part of today's debate, I would also like to point out that the Office for Victims of Crime offers a full array of assistance help for crime victims. By supporting this office and its programs on an ongoing basis we can help ensure that victims are afforded their legal rights and the necessary assistance to overcome the effects of being victimized by crime.
I encourage my colleagues to support H. Res. 1053.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important resolution and the 28th annual observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. This year's theme, ``Justice for Victims, Justice for All'' is appropriate. Too often, victims of crime are made to be victims a second time, first as a result of the crime, but second as a result of our criminal justice system, the very system designed to protect them.
In 2004, 20 years after Congress enacted the Victims of Crime Act, Congress enacted the Justice for All Act. This was a significant victory for crime victims, as it extended a number of enforceable rights to crime victims, including the right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding involving release, plea or sentencing, the right to file a motion to reopen a plea, or sentence in certain circumstances, and, most importantly, the right to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
Despite enactment, enforcement of these rights is just one of a number of important changes that needs to occur to ensure that our Nation's criminal justice system is just for both offenders and the victims of those crimes.
In a hearing held by the Crime Subcommittee 3 weeks ago, testimony was presented revealing that crime victims continue to bear the brunt of crimes. According to the Department of Justice, crime costs victims and their families more than $105 billion in lost earnings, public victim assistance and medical expenses.
For example, despite a victim's right to full and timely restitution, it remains one of the most underenforced victims' rights within our justice system. In fact, more than $50 billion in criminal debt, including restitution and fines, were uncollected in 2007. And the amount of outstanding criminal debt is only expected to increase, ballooning from $269 million to almost $13 billion. And in my own State of Ohio, more than $1.2 billion in criminal debt remained uncollected at the end of fiscal year 2007.
While I appreciate the majority's effort to recognize National Crime Victims' Rights Week, I believe that more than just lip service can be done to help victims. Many of us have introduced good legislation, such as H.R. 845, the Criminal Restitution Improvement Act of 2007, or H.R. 4110, restitution legislation introduced by Representative Shea-Porter that will do more to assist victims.
If we all agree that crime victims bear the brunt of crimes, then why not pass a bill such as H.R. 845, that makes restitution mandatory and strengthens collection efforts?
Enforcement of these rights is the type of legislation that crime victims and their families need and deserve to help rebuild their lives, not just the recognition that they exist on paper.
I appreciate the work that my colleagues, Mr. Costa and Mr. Poe, have done on the Victims' Rights Caucus and in introducing this resolution. National Crime Victims Week serves many purposes, including to remind us what victims have suffered and the need to include them in the criminal justice system, to thank those individuals and organizations who have selflessly dedicated themselves to assisting victims, and to urge us all to rededicate ourselves to advance the cause of the victims of crime.
I urge my colleagues to support the victims of crime and their families and those that help them rebuild their lives by supporting this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize my colleague from California, the author of this bill, Congressman Jim Costa, for 5 minutes.
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding me the time.
I rise today to introduce House Resolution 1053 with my colleague, Congressman Ted Poe. This supports the mission of the goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and that designated that this week, April 13 to April 19, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
Congressman Poe and I introduced this resolution on behalf of Victim Rights Caucus members who have joined this effort over the recent years.
In 1980 President Reagan first called for a national observance to recognize and honor millions of victims of crime in our country, their families and survivors. And with a bipartisan effort in Congress, that took place.
National Crime Victims' Rights Week also pays tribute to thousands of community-based systems for victims service providers, who, in fact, provide support to the criminal justice system and allied professionals, who, in fact, help those victims of crime every week throughout the country.
This year's theme for National Crime Victims' Rights Week is
``Justice for Victims, Justice for All.'' We, as a Nation, must do more to ensure that all victims of crime are afforded their legal rights and provided with assistance as they face financial, physical and oftentimes psychological impacts of crime.
When I first arrived in Washington almost 4 years ago, there was a lack of an advocacy group of behalf of victims' rights and issues. Congressman Ted Poe and I decided, as new Members, that we would put together a Victim Rights Caucus. We're very proud of the effects of this caucus in the first 4 years of its origin.
The goals of our caucus are simple: One, to represent crime victims in the United States in a bipartisan effort by supporting legislation that reflects their interests and their needs.
Two, to provide ongoing forum for proactive discussion between Congress and national victims assistance organizations to enhance mutual education, legislative advocacy and initiatives which promote justice for all, including, most importantly, the victims of crime.
Three, to seek opportunities for education to public education initiatives to help those in the United States to understand the impact on crime on victims and to encourage their involvement in crime prevention, victim assistance and community safety.
And, fourth, to protect the restitution fund that was initiated in the early 1980s. Those restitution funds go to the benefits of victims of crimes. Unfortunately, this administration has tried to redirect those restitution funds, which are not taxpayers dollars, but, in fact, criminal dollars, to the general fund. This Congress and the previous Congress prevented that from occurring.
Our caucus has been very successful. We have authored legislation, and I want to thank Congressman Ted Poe for cochairing the caucus with me, and for all of the Members of the House of Representatives who belong to this caucus.
Crime victims are our sons, our daughters, our brothers and our sisters, or neighbors and our friends. And they are struggling to survive in the aftermath of crime. They deserve our support.
{time} 1245
Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), who before joining us here in Congress was a very distinguished judge who was recognized for his leadership in working to promote the interests of victims of crime.
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Ohio yielding.
Madam Speaker, victims of crime are real people. They are our friends, our relatives and our neighbors, and unfortunately, because of our culture, they have been for many years overlooked in the criminal justice system. Well, I think those days are over because they are as important as defendants, because the same Constitution that protects the rights of defendants in the courtroom, that same Constitution protects the rights of victims of crime.
Since 1981, this country celebrates National Crime Victims' Rights Week in April. Local communities hold rallies and candlelight vigils and a number of other activities to honor the millions of crime victims and survivors in the United States and also to recognize those many individuals that work with crime victims.
This week is National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and this year's theme is ``Justice for Victims, Justice for All.'' It is a very appropriate theme because we cannot achieve justice for all until there is some justice, total justice, for victims of crime.
The victims' right movement has come a long way. The days when a victim was just a mere witness in the courthouse are not far gone.
While we are always sure to safeguard the rights of defendants, our justice system must also safeguard the rights of victims of crime.
The victims' rights movement dates all the way back to 1965 when the first crime victim compensation program was started in the State of California. Five States enacted similar legislation by 1970, and then we saw that organization, what we call the MADD mothers, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, come into being to advocate on behalf of victims of crime who had been hurt by those people who drink and drive.
In 1975, activists across the country united and formed the National Organization for Victim Assistance to expand victim services and promote the rights of victims.
In 1978, three more important organizations started: the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and a group of somber individuals called Parents of Murdered Children, all of them advocating on behalf of crime victims.
President Reagan in 1981 proclaimed the first National Victims' Rights Week in April, and that was also the year that 6-year-old Adam Walsh was abducted from a department store and later murdered, prompting a national campaign to educate the public on missing children and to pass better legislation--Federal legislation, to protect our greatest natural resource, the young that live among us.
In 1982, the Federal Government created the Office for Victims of Crime, or OVC, within the Department of Justice, a tremendous organization that sees after the victims of crime in our country.
Then, in 1984, the Congress passed the Victims of Crime Act, what we call VOCA, one of the most novel concepts that Congress has ever adopted. What it does is require that people convicted in Federal courts, those defendants, once they are convicted, they pay moneys into a fund, and that fund is used to help crime victims throughout the United States. It is a tremendous idea, making defendants pay for the system they have created, pay the rent on a courthouse as I like to call it. And today, Madam Speaker, that fund is over $1.7 billion, contributed not by taxpayers but by offenders, that goes for the specific purpose of helping victims, helping victims' organizations like rape centers, domestic violence shelters, and victim advocates that help victims throughout the turmoil of being a crime victim.
In 2005, my first year in Congress, I was honored to form the Victims' Rights Caucus with the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa), who was a long-time victims' advocate in the State of California before he ever came to Congress. And this bipartisan, but yet nonpartisan, caucus now has 44 members, and we do everything we can to raise the awareness of crime victims here in the Federal Government.
In 2006, 25 years after Adam Walsh's murder that I just mentioned earlier, President Bush signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which requires sex offenders and child molesters, once they leave the Federal penitentiary or State penitentiaries, to register on the national database so that we keep up with those people who wish to prey on our communities.
Madam Speaker, crime victims don't have a lobbyist up here in Washington. They don't have some high-dollar lobbyist to work for them and advocate on their behalf. But we are their lobbyists. We advocate on behalf of all crime victims because that's what we do here in Congress, to take and protect the best that we have among us, and that's crime victims.
I urge community leaders and organizations to celebrate how far the victims' rights movement has come but also to continue to recognize the importance of crime victims that live among us because, Madam Speaker, justice is the one thing we should always find, and hopefully crime victims can find justice at the courthouse in our day and time.
And that's just the way it is.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I wonder if the gentleman from Ohio has additional speakers.
Mr. CHABOT. We have no additional speakers, and we would be happy to yield back our time.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this resolution. It's bipartisan. It's important.
I just recalled, as I was listening to both Mr. Poe and Mr. Costa taking the lead and I thank them both for that, my more than 10 years on the Victim Witness Assistance Board, when I was in local government, and the tremendous need there is for people who have been victims and then who are also witnesses to receive the assistance from society that they need so much.
So I appreciate the efforts of both gentlemen and our colleagues who are in this caucus and urge support.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1053.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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