Cliff Stearns: “this week the House will take up the crime bill. Included in this package is a provision which would grant the victim…”

“this week the House will take up the crime bill. Included in this package is a provision which would grant the victim the right to speak at the sentencing. It is important to let the victims of brutal acts of violence know they will have an opportunity to confront their attackers and provide evidence which could have a bearing on the sentence which is handed out. Nationally, the high incidence of crimes committed is alarming. The Department of Justice reports that every year nearly 5 million people are victims of violent crimes. With these kinds of statistics it is understandable that crime is fast becoming the No. 1 concern of the American people. My hometown of Ocala has a population of approximately 43,000 people. It is not unlike a host of mid-sized towns across the country. Unfortunately, that means we have our share of crime. In fact, in 1992 Ocala had 6,627 reported crimes. Of these, there were 6 murders, 29 rapes, 344 robberies, and 477 aggravated assaults. These statistics are an outrage to the law abiding citizens who go to work every day and pay their taxes. This provision will have a positive effect because it allows the victims of wanton acts of violence to face their attackers and offer evidence which will ensure that the sentence fits the crime.”