Backup Documents 04/28/2009 Item # 4K
PROCLAMA TION
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WHEREAS, more than 33 million Americans are victims of crime each year, and af those, 5.2 million are
victims of vialent crime: and.
WHEREAS, victims may suffer emotional, physical, psychological, and fif/f1ncial harm as a result of crime:
and.
WHEREAS, the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), passed by Congress in 1984, affirmed the natianal
commitment to helping victims rebuild their lives by establishing the Crime Victims Fund. a major
source of funding for services and compensation to victims of crime throughout the United
States: and.
WHEREAS, the Fund comprises fines and penalties levied on offenders and affirms the principle that those
who commit crimes should be held accountable for their actions: and,
WHEREAS, victim compensation programs pay for medical and counseling costs, funeral bills, and lost wages
for victims of crime: and,
WHEREAS, the Crime Victims Fund provides support to states for victim compensation programs, and victim
assistance programs, including rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, victim assistants in
law enforcement and prosecutor offices, and other direct service providers that help millions of
victims every year: and,
WHEREAS, National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 26-May 2, 2009, provides an opportunity for our
community and the f/f1tion to recognize the Victims of Crime Act as a major bedrock of support
for victim services and to reaffirm our commitment to addressing the needs of victims of crime:
and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners is joining forces with victim suvice programs, crimif/f11 justice
officials, and concerned citizens throughout Collier County and America to observe the 25h
Anniversary of VOCA during the Natianal Crime Victims' Rights Week.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that the
week of April 26-May 2, 2009, be desigf/f1ted as
Collier County Crime Victims'Rights Week
and reaffirm Collier Countys commitment to respect and enforce victims' rights and address their
needs during National Crime Victims' Rights Week and throughout the year: and express our
appreciation for those victims and crime survivors who have turned personal tragedy into a
motivation force to improve our respanse ta victims of crime and build a more just community.
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 28th Day of April, 2009.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
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DONNA TALA, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: