Bill Text: NY K00230 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 7-13, 2019, as Crime Victims' Rights Week in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 36-21)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-28 - adopted [K00230 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00230-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 230

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        April  7-13,  2019, as Crime Victims' Rights Week in
        the State of  New  York,  in  conjunction  with  the
        observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks set aside to increase awareness of serious  issues  which
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew  M. Cuomo to proclaim April 7-13, 2019, as
Crime Victims' Rights Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week; and

  WHEREAS, For the past three decades, Americans have joined  together
to  recognize the needs and rights of crime victims and survivors during
National Crime Victims' Rights Week; and

  WHEREAS, Every man, woman and child who is victimized  by  crime  in
America deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion, and deserves
services and support to help them in the aftermath of crime; and

  WHEREAS,  22  million  Americans  are  directly harmed by crime each
year,  and  each  crime  affects  many  more  family  members,  friends,
neighbors, and co-workers; and

  WHEREAS,   Crime  can  leave  a  lasting  physical,  emotional,  and
financial impact on people  of  all  ages  and  abilities,  and  of  all
economic, racial, and social backgrounds; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition  to  these  challenges,  crime victims face a
criminal, military, and juvenile justice system that, at times,  ignores
their rights and treats them with disrespect; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1982,  the  President's Task Force on Victims of Crime
envisioned a national commitment to  a  more  equitable  and  supportive
response to victims; and

  WHEREAS, The nation heeded this call to action and promoted victims'
rights  initiatives,  effective  and  compassionate victim services, and
just compensation and financial support; and

  WHEREAS, In 1984, the Crime Victims  Fund  was  established  by  the
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to provide a permanent source of support for
crime  victim services and compensation through fines and penalties paid
by convicted federal offenders; and

  WHEREAS, Today, thousands of victim assistance programs provide help
and support to child victims of  violence  and  sexual  abuse;  stalking
victims;   survivors  of  homicide  victims;  victims  of  drunk-driving
crashes; and victims of domestic, dating, and sexual violence and  other
crimes; and


  WHEREAS,  The  victim  assistance  community faces new challenges to
reach and serve all  victims,  including  victims  of  new  crimes  like
cybercrime  and  terrorism  and  victims who have not always trusted the
criminal justice system, including immigrant victims, urban  youth,  and
victims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning; and

  WHEREAS, While New York State has adopted laws to protect the rights
of victims of crime and provide them with essential services, it remains
the responsibility of all citizens to ensure that these laws are upheld;
and

  WHEREAS, Important efforts have been implemented to ensure treatment
to  help  victims  begin healing; among the volunteers and professionals
who work toward this are law enforcement officers,  prosecutors,  victim
service  providers,  correction officers, parole and probation officers,
counselors, physicians, health care professionals, and the  many  others
whose  dedication  and  service  to crime victims help lessen trauma and
assist in personal recovery; and

  WHEREAS, Now is the time to embrace new solutions that  involve  new
partnerships  with  underserved  communities  and  a greater emphasis on
learning what works in meeting victims' needs; and

  WHEREAS, The United States Department of Justice, through the Vision
21 initiative, calls for a renewed commitment to serving all victims  of
crime in the 21st Century; and

  WHEREAS,  National  Crime  Victims'  Rights  Week, April 7-13, 2019,
provides  an  opportunity  to  celebrate  the  energy,  creativity,  and
commitment  that  launched  the  victims'  rights movement, inspired its
progress, and continues to  advance  the  cause  of  justice  for  crime
victims; and

  WHEREAS,  Respect and dignity are basic rights of all those who have
been victimized by crime and those responsible must be held  accountable
for their actions; and

  WHEREAS,  It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to increase  activity  at  the
local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April  7-13,  2019,  as
Crime Victims' Rights Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.