Sample Proclamation

          Whereas,  year 2000 marks the twentieth anniversary of the commemoration of National
          Crime Victims' Rights Week; and
          Whereas,  the victims' rights discipline in America has, for nearly three decades, dared to
          dream of a nation that is free from violence and an America where crime victims
          are consistently provided supportive services to help them cope with the trauma of
          crime and victimization; and
          Whereas,  while the rate of most crimes continues to decrease, U.S. residents still
experience
          nearly 31 million criminal victimizations, including nearly 8.1 million violent
          crimes; and
          Whereas,  over 30,000 federal and state laws have been passed that define and protect the
          rights of crime victims; 32 states have passed constitutional amendments that afford
          victims important participatory rights throughout the criminal and juvenile justice
          systems; and a federal constitutional amendment is currently pending in the U.S.
          Congress; and
          Whereas,  important partnerships have been formed among criminal and juvenile justice
          agencies, allied professionals, and victim services to ensure that crime victims are
          treated with dignity and respect; and
          Whereas,  our nation's commitment to victim assistance, crime prevention, and public safety
          has resulted in countless individuals and collaborative initiatives that truly do our
          community justice; and
          Whereas,  the new millennium affords us the opportunity to continue to dare to dream of a
          nation where liberty and justice for all includes each and every person who has
          been touched by crime; therefore, be it 
          Resolved, that [individual or entity] proclaims the week of April 9 to 15, 2000 to be
          [city/county/parish/state] Crime Victims' Week; and be it further
          Resolved, that our individual and collective efforts reflect the dreams we dare to have of a
          nation where no crime victim goes unserved, and every crime victim is afforded
          rights and services, and fair treatment by the justice system and by society; and be
          it further
          Resolved, that a suitably prepared copy of this proclamation be presented to [your
          organization].