Political Quotes

“this week is National Victims' Rights Week. I would like to take this opportunity to ask my colleagues in Congress to follow the lead of 32 States, including my State of Ohio, and pass a Victims' Rights Constitutional Amendment. The amendment would allow crime victims to confront their assailants in court, at sentencing and parole hearings, require that they be notified about the release or escape of a perpetrator from custody, and guarantee them the right to seek restitution from their attackers. For far too long, victims of crime in this country have had to stand on the courthouse steps with meaningful justice just beyond their reach, not allowed to view proceedings in person, too often not permitted to speak out on behalf of a murdered loved one, not even notified when a violent abuser is turned loose. Crime victims deserve to be treated better. They deserve to be treated with dignity in our criminal justice system. With the adoption of this amendment, we will finally say loud and clear that victims have inalienable rights too, which should be recognized by our Constitution.”