Statement of Congressman Jim Costa

For the past 25years, I have worked hard as a California statelegislator and, today, as a Member of Congress, to enact public policy thatrecognizes the needs and rights of crime victims.

When I came to Washington, I discoveredthere was a void in leadership on victims' issues. In order to fill the vacuum, I joined with mycolleagues from across the aisle to found a new Voice for Victims in Congress:The Congressional Victims Rights Caucus, which I am proud to co-chair. The members of our bipartisan Victims' RightsCaucus believe victims have suffered enough. And because I believe so strongly in the cause of Victims' Rights, I amfighting the Administration's reckless attempt to balance the budget on thebacks of victims.

Crime victims are our sonsand daughters, sisters and brothers, parents and neighbors and friends who arestruggling to survive in the aftermath of crime. These are people who deserve services and support to help them cope.

Yet, the Administration hasproposed to take money from the Crime Victims' Fund and dump it into the grandabyss of the general treasury.

The Crime Victims' Fund isnot taxpayers' money. The concept behindthe Fund is smart and simple: We takefines levied on criminals and distribute the money to victims' serviceproviders. So the Administration'sproposal is wrongheaded and shows no sense of history.

In 1980, President Reaganfirst called for a national observance to recognize and honor victims ofcrimes, their families, and survivors. Victims' Rights Week, which is thisweek, also pays tribute to the thousands of community services providers thatgive critical support to victims every week of the year. Victims' Rights Week has since beenproclaimed annually with ceremonies and observances in across the nation.

President Reagan's commitmentto the rights of victims lead to the passage of the Victims of Crime Act, whichin 1984 created the Crime Victims Fund.

Yet, in spite of thishistory, this administration is trying to take that money, meant for victims,and place it in the general treasury. Ifthe Administration succeeds, it will mean that those who deserve more - thevictims' of crime and their families - will have less.

During the current session ofCongress, along with my fellow Caucus co-chairs, I introduced a resolution thatrecognizes a fact that many Americans know all too well: Crime does not knowany geographic, demographic or political boundary; it touches all of ourcommunities. The Resolution expresses support for Victims' Rights Week and theCrime Victims' Fund, two legacies of President Reagan.

The Crime Victims Fund serves3.8 million victims every year. It helps get beds in domestic violenceshelters, ensure rape victims receive proper counseling and even helps familiespay for funerals. Still the Fund isunder attack from the Administration and that is wrong. As long as I am inCongress, I will fight any efforts that would effectively deny services to victims.

The Fund plays a crucial rolein our local community's work to assist victims. Several groups here in Fresno rely on thisfunding source, including, the Fresno County Probation Department, the MarjareeMason Center, the Rape Counseling Service of Fresno and the Comprehensive YouthServices organization..

These are great examples ofthe diverse types of organizations that receive funding - whether it is toprovide health care, counseling or cover funeral expenses this funding isextremely useful in serving local communities.

Just this week, I havebrought together over 100 members of Congress to demand the Fund is used forwhat President Reagan intended: to help victims who truly need and deserveassistance and to hold offenders accountable.

It is the primary job ofpublic servants to protect our citizens from harm. The Crime Victims Fund is an expression ofour commitment to that principal. Because of what it is and what it does, the Administration ought toleave the Crime Victims' Fund alone.

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