Joining the Nation and the City of Philadelphia in acknowledging the Week of April 18 2004 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

WHEREAS, We as a Nation recognize crime victims’ suffering, struggles and loss and value them as our family members and friends, neighbors and co-workers who have been harmed by crime; and

WHEREAS, We as individuals and communities value core rights for crime victims that allow them to participate in justice processes with rights to information, protection, restitution and to be heard; and

WHEREAS, We value the critical assistance and services that provide for crime victims’ basic needs, such as fair treatment, dignity, respect and information and the life essentials, such as safe housing, food, support for their children, transportation, counseling and medical services; and

WHEREAS, We value those among us who work on behalf of crime victims to not only improve rights, services and treatment of victims of crime, but to also build a better and more just community and country; and

WHEREAS, We value our right to be free from violence, to be safe in our homes and to live in peace in our community; and

WHEREAS, America as a Nation values liberty and justice for all, including efforts to protect, enhance and expand crime victims’ rights and services; and

WHEREAS, America has joined together annually for the past 24 years to recognize the needs and rights of crime victims and survivors; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Proclaims the week of April 18 to April 24, 2004 to be Philadelphia Crime Victims Week and honors crime victims and those who serve them during this week and throughout the year; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That as individuals, as communities, as a city and as a nation, we continue to value crime victims and survivors; and to value justice in our nation that includes and involves crime victims; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Chief Clerk shall forward a copy of this Resolution to Patrick L. Meehan, United States Attorney, Department of Justice, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

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