National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2003

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Title 3--
The President

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.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B