R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Every individual, family, and community in America 1-2 has the right to live free from fear and harm; and 1-3 WHEREAS, Twenty years ago, victims of crime were afforded few 1-4 rights, their voices were muted, and limited services were 1-5 available to provide support and assistance; and 1-6 WHEREAS, This invisible barrier of silence has crumbled in 1-7 our halls of justice, in statehouses, and in communities; today 1-8 thousands of crime victims channel their pain, grief, and 1-9 frustration into positive forces of change; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The voices of victims offer us important insights 1-11 into the personal pain and loss that victims endure, and these are 1-12 voices that deserve our state's attention and respect; many crime 1-13 victims and survivors serve as volunteers for victim-assistance 1-14 programs, join activist groups to change public policy, and help 1-15 sensitize offenders about the impact of crime on the victim; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Over 30,000 federal and state laws have been passed 1-17 that define and protect the rights of crime victims, and over 1-18 10,000 national, state, and local agencies provide support and 1-19 services to victims of crime; and 1-20 WHEREAS, During the 1999 National Crime Victims' Rights Week 1-21 the powerful voices of victims and those who serve them will be 1-22 commemorated with the theme "Victims' Voices: Silent No More"; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The Honorable George W. Bush, governor of the State 1-24 of Texas, proclaims the week of April 25 through May 1, 1999, to be 2-1 Crime Victims' Rights Week in Texas; now, therefore, be it 2-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-3 Legislature recognize the valuable contributions made this year, 2-4 and every year, by crime victims, advocates, elected officials, and 2-5 criminal justice professionals who diligently promote justice for 2-6 all. Gallego _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 729 was adopted by the House on April 26, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House