[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7543]

Proc. 7543

[[Page 71]]

Proclamation 7543 of April 18, 2002

National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          Thirty years ago, advocates from some of the most crime-ridden 
          neighborhoods of St. Louis, San Francisco, and Washington, 
          D.C., founded the Nation's first assistance programs for crime 
          victims. These centers were established in communities where 
          violence was common, and they were clear about their mission: 
          to bring help, hope, and healing to those who had suffered the 
          effects of crime. The creation of these victim-assistance 
          programs launched a movement that brought domestic violence 
          shelters, homicide victim support groups, and rape crisis 
          centers to help victims in cities and towns throughout the 
          United States.
          The crime victims' rights movement also brought changes in the 
          way the criminal justice system treats and interacts with 
          crime victims. In many cases, crime victims began to be 
          treated with greater respect and to play an important role in 
          criminal justice proceedings.
          In 1982, President Ronald Reagan assembled a task force of 
          nine national leaders to travel the country and listen to 
          service providers, criminal justice professionals, and 
          victims. The Task Force's Final Report listed 68 
          recommendations for meeting victims' needs, including the need 
          for a Federal constitutional amendment. The momentum generated 
          by this report helped spur passage of the Victims of Crime Act 
          of 1984, which now supports thousands of assistance programs 
          throughout the Nation. The Victim and Witness Protection Act 
          of 1982 and other laws have given victims of Federal crimes 
          many important rights.
          All 50 States have now passed victims' rights laws, and more 
          than half the States have amended their constitutions to 
          guarantee rights for crime victims. However, more remains to 
          be done to secure victims' rights. I support a Federal 
          Constitutional Amendment to protect the rights of victims of 
          violent crime.
          Our Nation has come to realize the tragic toll that crime 
          takes, and we have developed the resources to ease crime's 
          physical, emotional, and financial impact. This support 
          network, which was already in place on September 11, made us 
          better prepared to deal with the unspeakable pain and tragedy 
          inflicted by the terrorist attacks. Along with the many 
          firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, and rescue 
          workers who responded in New York, Washington, D.C., and 
          Pennsylvania, hundreds of counselors, chaplains, social 
          workers, volunteers, and victim service providers came 
          together for the common purpose of helping the victims, the 
          families, and our Nation.
          My Administration has made the fight against crime a top 
          priority. But when a crime does occur, I am dedicated to 
          providing assistance and comfort to victims and to ensuring 
          that the rights of victims are protected. At the time of their 
          great trauma, crime victims deserve nothing less than our 
          complete support.

[[Page 72]]

          NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United 
          States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by 
          the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby 
          proclaim April 21 through April 27, 2002, as National Crime 
          Victims' Rights Week. I encourage every community to embrace 
          the cause of victims' rights and services and to advance them 
          in all sectors of our society.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
          eighteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
          two, and of the Independence of the United States of America 
          the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

GEORGE W. BUSH