[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7659 of April 4, 2003
 
National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2003

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Crime brings trauma, pain, and insecurity into the lives of too many
Americans each year. As we work to reduce crime and protect the rights
of the accused, we must take equal care to protect the rights of their
victims. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we remember those
who have suffered as a result of crime and honor those who have helped
these victims.
Americans suffered over 24 million crimes in 2001, 5.7 million of which
involved violence. While we have improved policies and our justice
system has treated victims with greater respect in recent years, we must
continue our work to ensure the full rights of all crime victims and
better protect our citizens. My Administration believes that victims of
violent crime have important rights that deserve protection in our
Constitution, and to guarantee these rights, I strongly support the
passage of the bipartisan Crime Victims' Rights Amendment. This
amendment will provide victims of violent crime the right to reasonable
and timely notice of any public proceedings involving the crime or
release of the perpetrator, and the right to be heard at public
proceedings regarding the criminal's sentence or potential release. It
will also assure that such victims receive timely notice of any escape
of their attacker. Under this amendment, decision makers will duly
consider the victim's safety and payment of restitution from the
offender to the victim. This important amendment will strike the right
balance in protecting individual rights and ensuring fairness and equity
in our criminal justice system.
Across our Nation, victims' rights groups work on behalf of victims
every day. Through care and compassion, these groups and individuals are
bringing hope and comfort to their neighbors in need. Domestic violence
shelters, support groups for families of homicide victims, rape crisis
centers, and other organizations in our cities and communities offer
vital assistance to individuals who have been affected by crime. In
times of such crises, counselors, hotline operators, clergy, doctors,
nurses, law enforcement, and countless others also help their fellow
Americans cope with their pain and suffering.
As a Nation, we must continue to seek justice on behalf of all people
who have been victimized by crime. The heroes in these efforts are the
individuals and organizations who work to provide valuable support and
assistance to those who have suffered from crime. This week allows us to
recognize these heroes and renew our commitment to fulfilling the
promise of our Nation of justice for all.
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 6 through April 12,
2003, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I encourage every
community to embrace the cause of victims' rights and to advance it in
all sectors of our society.

[[Page 3022]]
117 STAT. 3022

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh
GEORGE W. BUSH