STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
Proclamation
Whereas, New York State has long been a national leader in the crime victims’ rights movement, exhibiting a sustained commitment to fighting crime and assisting victims by providing services and support, and treating victims with the compassion and dignity that they deserve; and
Whereas, as evidence of that leadership, the state was the first in the nation to establish an independent state agency for crime victims’ compensation, the New York State Crime Victims Board and in the more than 40 years since its creation, the Crime Victims Board has worked diligently to fulfill its mission to provide compensation to innocent victims of crime in a timely, efficient and compassionate manner; to fund direct services to crime victims via a network of community-based programs; and, to advocate for the rights and benefits of all innocent victims of crime; and
Whereas, the protection of our citizenry is the most fundamental obligation of government and we must increase our efforts to protect, restore, and expand crime victims’ rights and services to aid in healing and prevent further victimization; and
Whereas, this year marks the 28th annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which gives us the opportunity to remember those who have been injured or killed as the result of crime, and to honor their memories by adding their names to the brick walkway at the New York State Crime Victims Memorial; and
Whereas, in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the New York State Crime Victims Board supports a variety of activities and events across the state to call attention to the life-changing impact crime has on victims and their loved ones and to highlight services available to assist victims of crime; and
Whereas, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week encourages each of us to recommit ourselves to the principle that each and every victim must be ensured and afforded his or her rights consistent with a fair, just and compassionate society, and that more work needs to be done to ensure those rights;
Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, hereby proclaim April 13-19, 2008 as CRIME VICTIMS WEEK in the Empire State.
G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this third day of April in the year two thousand eight.