WHEREAS, The mission of National Crime Victims' Rights Week is to provide a time of nationwide remembrance, reflection and re-commitment for crime victims and survivors and those who serve them in order to raise individual and public awareness about the rights and needs of crime victims, the challenges that victims face in seeking help and hope in the aftermath of crime, and the positive impact that individuals and communities can have by providing services and support to victims and survivors of crime; and
WHEREAS, National Crime Victims' Rights Week provides a City-wide opportunity to reflect on the devastating impact of crime and terrorism on victims and our entire City, and to strengthen our City’s resolve to ensure that victims' needs are identified and addressed; and
WHEREAS, America as a Nation, and we as Philadelphians, recognize that justice isn't served until crime victims are, that crime and violence in America affects us all, and that victims' rights are a critical component of “justice for all”; and
WHEREAS, Justice isn't served until all crime victims and those hurt by crime – our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, neighbors and friends – are provided support and assistance in the aftermath of victimization; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia as a City recognizes that we serve justice by serving victims of crime and that by helping victims and survivors of crime, we help make our homes and neighborhoods, communities and cities stronger, safer and more secure; now therefore
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Proclaims the week of April 23 to 29, 2006, to be National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and honors crime victims and those who serve them during this week and throughout the year; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That as individuals, a City and a Nation, we value justice in America that includes and involves crime victims, and seek to serve justice by serving victims of crime; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Philadelphia Coalition For Victim Advocacy.
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