National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2005

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7877 of March 31, 2005

National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In proclaiming the first Victims' Rights Week in 1981,
President Reagan said, ``it is time all of us paid
greater heed to the plight of victims.'' Since then,
America has made great progress in treating crime
victims with greater respect, meeting their needs, and
providing them with help, hope, and healing. Each year,
during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we remember
those who have lost their lives in violent crimes. We
also renew our commitment to address the needs of
victims and their families and to build public
awareness of crime victims' rights.

The violent crime rate is at its lowest point in three
decades. We must remain steadfast in our efforts to
make America safer for all citizens and fairer for
victims of crime. The Department of Justice has
received historic levels of funding for programs to
protect women and prosecute criminals. Family Justice
Centers are helping local communities provide
comprehensive services to victims of domestic crime and
their loved ones. State and local law enforcement
officials are continuing to serve the public and assist
victims of crime. I signed into law the Justice for All
Act of 2004, which expands DNA testing and enhances the
scope and enforceability of crime victims' rights.

As we work to combat crime and support victims, we must
also ensure the fairness and effectiveness of our
criminal justice system. All 50 States and the Federal
Government have passed important legal protections for
victims of violent crime, and more than half the States
have amended their constitutions to guarantee rights
for victims. My Administration continues to support the
bipartisan Crime Victims' Rights Amendment to the
Constitution, which would safeguard basic rights for
victims regarding their safety, notification of public
proceedings involving the crime, and claims of
restitution.

Across our Nation, individuals and organizations--
including faith-based and community groups--are
dedicated to defending and securing the rights of crime
victims and providing hope and healing to those who
hurt. Together, their commitment and compassion help
ensure that our legal system stands up for the rights
of victims and that our communities step forward to
lend a hand to people in need. During this week, we
honor their extraordinary work and renew our pledge to
protect the rights of crime victims.

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 10 through April 16,
2005, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I
encourage all Americans to highlight and advance the
cause of victims' rights in their communities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B