National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2009

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8365 of April 24, 2009

National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From violence in our neighborhoods to credit card
fraud on the Internet, Americans fall victim to
countless crimes every day. Our Nation has no higher
responsibility than protecting the safety of our
families. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week,
we honor crime victims by pledging to fight crime
wherever it exists.

This commitment begins by supporting the men and women
working every day to reduce crime and assist crime
victims. Often placing themselves in harm's way and
sacrificing personal interests, these individuals are
the backbone of the extensive efforts to protect
Americans from crime. They have demonstrated a
commitment to serve others, and their dedication is
vital to implementing a successful strategy for crime
reduction and victim assistance.

Crime victims have benefited from the Victims of Crime
Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-473), one of the most
significant achievements in crime victim assistance.
This law created an innovative method for using fines
and penalties from Federal criminals to fund services
for victims. This Crime Victims Fund has already helped
millions of victims across the country access basic
assistance and financial compensation. This year marks
the 25th anniversary of the bill's bipartisan passage.

An effective approach to fighting crime must include
programs that make sense and work. To that end, my
Administration is building on past achievements to
address the range of crimes that Americans may
encounter. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,
which I signed in February, helps State and local law
enforcement personnel perform critical work by
providing $2 billion through the Edward Byrne Justice
Assistance Grant Program.

A smart crime reduction strategy must also incorporate
outreach to those who have paid their debt to society
and have become responsible and contributing members of
their communities. Prisoner reentry programs have been
tested and proven effective. Through a number of
supportive services, including substance abuse and
mental health counseling, prison-to-work incentives,
job training, and transitional assistance, reentry
programs help reduce crime recidivism and keep families
safer. By utilizing common-sense and proven methods, we
can both reduce crime and serve crime victims.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 26 through May
2, 2009, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I call
upon all Americans to observe this week by
participating in events that raise awareness of
victims' rights and services and by volunteering to
serve victims in their time of need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.