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“VICTIMS' RIGHTS AWARENESS WEEK” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E612 on April 26, 2006.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
VICTIMS' RIGHTS AWARENESS WEEK
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HON. KATHERINE HARRIS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Ms. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, I rise to urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 378, in recognition of the goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
In 2004, according to the Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey, approximately 24 million Americans became victims of a criminal action, including 5.2 million acts of violence.
While I celebrate the fact that this marks the lowest level ever recorded, I remain committed to providing a voice and a helping hand to those whose freedoms have been infringed.
In tribute to the more than 10,000 system- and community-based assistance programs that serve as a vital role in the recovery process, the theme of the 2006 National Crime Victims' Rights Week is ``Strength in Unity.''
Since the passage of the Victims of Crimes Act in 1984, more than $7 billion in fines and other assessments have been collected from those who prey on some of the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society.
Each year thousands of volunteers selflessly contribute their time and energy that enables an individual to make the important transformation from ``crime victim'' to ``crime survivor.'' Through various means of advocacy, we continue our work to ensure that no victim, nor family member, is forced to face a legal or medical appointment on their own; or, more importantly, left to face an anniversary alone.
Mr. Speaker, when the salacious interest of check-out stand voyeurs wanes, and the cable news programs turn their cameras to another sensational story, we must remain the crime victims' advocate and ally.
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