Proclamations Proc. 7543 Proclamation 7543 of April 18, 2002 Nafiona] Crime Victims' Ri\365hts Week, 2002 By the President o/the United States o/America A Proclamation Thirty years ago, advocates from some of the most crime-ridden neighbor- hoods of St. Louis, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., founded the Na- flows first assistance programs for crime victims. These centers were estab- lished in communities where violence was common, and they were clear about their mission: to bring help, hope, and healing to those who had suf- fered the effects of crime. The creation of these victim-assistance programs launched a movement that brought domestic violence shelters, homicide victim support groups, and rape crisis centers to help victims in cities and towns throughout the United States. The crime victims' rights movement also brought changes in the way the criminal justice system treats and interacts with crime victims. In many cases, crime victims began to be treated with greater respect and to play an important role in criminal justice proceedings. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan assembled a task force of nine national leaders to travel the country and listen to service providers, criminal justice professionals, and victims. The Task Force's Final Report listed 68 rec- ommendations for meeting victims' needs, including the need for a Federal constitutional amendment. The momentum generated by this report helped spur passage of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, which now supports thousands of assistance programs throughout the Nation. The Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982 and other laws have given victims of Fed- eral crimes many important rights. All 50 States have now passed victims' rights laws, and more than half the States have amended their constitutions to guarantee rights for crime vic- tims. However, more remains to be done to secure victims' rights. I support a Federal Constitutional Amendment to protect the rights of victims of vio- lent crime. Our Nation has come to realize the tragic toll that crime takes, and we have developed the resources to ease crime's physical, emotional, and financial impact. This support network, which was already in place on September 11, made us better prepared to deal with the unspeakable pain and tragedy inflicted by the terrorist attacks. Along with the many firefighters, law en- forcement officers, paramedics, and rescue workers who responded in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, hundreds of counselors, chap- lains, social workers, volunteers, and victim service providers came to- gether for the common purpose of helping the victims, the families, and our Nation. My Administration has made the fight against crime a top priority. But when a crime does occur, I am dedicated to providing assistance and com- fort to victims and to ensuring that the rights of victims are protected. At the time of their great trauma, crime victims deserve nothing less than our complete support. 71
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