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SAMPLE PROCLAMATION 

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Sample Proclamation 

This year, hundreds of state and local officials and agencies will issue
proclamations or resolutions that officially proclaim the week of April 22-28,
2001 to be "(State/local) Crime Victims' Rights Week." This sample
proclamation can be offered to such officials and entities as a foundation upon
which to draft an official proclamation that is specific to each jurisdiction's
needs. Data from the statistical overviews included in this Resource Guide
and/or jurisdiction-specific data can be use-ful for tailoring the sample
proclamation to an individual organization, jurisdiction or state. Victim
advocates should request multiple copies of any proclamations issued that can
be framed for the offices of the many organizations that co-sponsor 2001
NCVRW activities.

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Sample Proclamation

Whereas,--America's victims' rights discipline has had a powerful impact in
educating our nation about the devastating effects of crime and victimization,
and the need to provide support and services to individuals and communities
hurt by crime; and

Whereas,--victimization rates in the United States are the lowest recorded since
the inception of the National Crime Victimization Survey in 1973; and

Whereas,--there were still nearly 29 million people in America who were
victimized by crime last year, including [fill in your state's criminal victimization
statistics here]; and

Whereas,--the year 2001 marks the 25th anniversary of the Victim Impact
Statement, which helps our criminal and juvenile justice systems better
understand the psychological, financial, and physical impact of crime on victims,
and hold offenders accountable for their criminal and delinquent actions; and

Whereas,--the voices of our nation's victims have had a powerful effect in
changing laws, policies, and attitudes to promote victims' rights and services,
and encouraging every person in America to take a stand and help crime
victims; and

Whereas,--important partnerships have been formed among criminal and
juvenile justice agencies, allied professionals, victim services, and the private
sector to ensure that crime victims are treated with the dignity and respect they
deserve; and

Whereas,--our nation's commitment to crime victim assistance grows stronger
with each passing year, with over 10,000 system- and community-based
programs in place to provide help and hope to victims of crime; therefore, be it 

Resolved,--that [individual or entity] proclaims the week of April 22 to 28,
2001, to be [city/county/parish/state] Crime Victims' Rights Week, and
celebrates victims' voices as an important chorus for fairness and dignity; and
be it further

Resolved,--that we continue to reach for the stars of justice and compassion for
crime victims as individuals, as communities, and as a nation dedicated to
justice for all; and be it further

Resolved,--that a suitably prepared copy of this proclamation be presented to
[your organization].

2001 NCVRW Resource Guide--Proclamation