The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office will be hosting the annual Victims’ of Homicide Memorial Quilt Unveiling Ceremony, held in conjunction with National Crime Victims Rights Week, on Friday, May 1, 2009, at 6:00 p.m., at the Visalia Holiday Inn, 9000 W. Airport Drive, Visalia, CA.

Each year, families who have lost a family member through homicide or drunk driving submit a quilt square commemorating the life of their loved one. The squares are then crafted together to form a memorial quilt, which provides a dramatic and moving memorial to the victims. The memorial quilt is unveiled each year during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in a special program which includes music, spoken testimonials and words of comfort from various public officials.

Phil Cline states: “Justice for victims has progressed dramatically since the 1980’s. In our office, we have a designated unit that provides a variety of services to victims of violent crime in our community. Although victims’ rights have gained tremendous strides throughout the years, there will be no justice for any of us if we do not seek greater fairness for victims of crime. Let us take this opportunity to stand as a community behind those harmed by crime. Injustice to victims can weaken public safety, and if victims are too fearful to report crimes or serve as witnesses, our criminal justice system suffers. All of us have a stake in victim’s rights.”

District Attorney Phil Cline extends an invitation to the entire community to spend an evening supporting and expressing love for those whose lives have been touched by tragedy.

--> Download the flyer for events happening this month in honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week

For more information about the National Crime Victims' Rights Week visit:

www.ovc.gov/ncvrw