Costa introduces resolution supporting National Crime Victims' Rights Week
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Praising the nation's victims'rights movement as having "not just a voice, but a vision," Congressman JimCosta, D- Fresno, today introduced a concurrent resolution in the House ofRepresentatives expressing Congress' support for the goals and ideals ofNational Crime Victims' Rights Week. Theobservance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week will take place April 23through 29.
Costa, one of the founders of the Congressional Victims'Rights Caucus, is sponsoring the House Concurrent Resolution 378 along withCongressman Ted Poe, R-Texas, and Congresswoman Katherine Harris, R-Florida. The three are co-chairs of the Congressional Victims'Rights Caucus.
In his statement accompanying the bill's introduction, Costa said that victimsof crime are no longer left in the shadows. He praised the nation's victims' rights movement as giving crime victimsnot only a voice but a vision "for what justice look like in America."
Costa pointed out that President Ronald Reagan first calledfor a national observance to recognize and honor crime victims in 1980. "President Reagan's commitment to the rightsof victims led to Congressional passage of the Victims of Crime Act in l984which created the Crime Victims' Fund. Since then the Crime Victims' Fund had dedicated more than $7.4 billioncollected from criminal fines - not taxpayer dollars - that annually supportsmore than 4,400 victim assistance programs serving some 3.8 million victims andcompensation to more than 165,000 victims for unreimbursed medical expenses,lost wages and funeral costs," Costa stated.
Numerous organizations in the 20th CongressionalDistrict, which Costa represents, receive funds from the Crime Victims'Fund. Those organizations include theprobation departments in Fresno, Kern and Kings Counties,Clinica Sierra Vista, the MarjorieMason Centerand the Rape Counseling Service of Fresno
The 2006 National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme is "Victims'Rights: Strength in Unity." The week iscelebrated with ceremonies and observances in Washington, D.C.and in hundreds of communities across the nation.
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