04/13/2008 Print Version
This April, California
joins the nation in honoring our state's crime victims. These individuals have unfairly had their
lives disrupted by suffering a physical, emotional or financial loss. While we recognize that their pain is often
irreversible, California
works diligently to help victims recover from their traumatic experiences.
California has shown great leadership in protecting the rights
of crime victims. District Attorneys
throughout the state prosecute defendants so that justice is appropriately
served to the offenders and the victims.
Our state's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Governor's
Office of Emergency Services and the Victim Compensation and Government Claims
Board provide victims with compensation, reimbursement for crime-related
medical bills, and other vital services to help in their recovery.
In 1965, our state became the first in the nation to
establish a victim compensation program.
Today, California
remains committed to this cause by continuing to enact policies that protect
victims' rights. I am proud of the work that
my Administration, the Legislature and the California Department of Justice
have done in recent years to help reduce crime, increase penalties and expand
the rights of victims. We have made great
progress and we will continue to do more.
I thank all of our law enforcement personnel,
prosecutors, the Legislature, the Attorney General, my Administration's Crime
Victim Advocate and other state and local agencies for their amazing work in
supporting victims and their rights. I
am especially grateful for the efforts put forth by victims, as their brave and
courageous fight for justice inspires all Californians.
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim April 13-19,
2008, as "Crime Victims' Rights Week."

IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 14th
day of March 2008.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State

