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2006 National Crime Victims' Rights Week The honorees received special recognition during the awards ceremony hosted April 21, 2006, by the Office for Victims of Crime to honor victim advocates, organizations, and programs in the field of victim services.
To view more details, click on a photo for an enlarged view. Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Awards
Jeffrey R. Dion Jeffrey R. Dion has been fighting to advance the cause of crime victims' rights for more than two decades. When Jeff was 14 years old, his sister was brutally murdered. The murder remained unsolved for years. As a teenager, he continued to press law enforcement for information, unaware at the time that he was part of a growing number of crime victims who were seeking greater involvement in the criminal justice system. Eventually, the murderer of Jeff's sister was determined to be one of the Nation's most notorious serial killers. After the murderer confessed, Jeff learned that there would be no trial because the murderer had already been convicted of five counts of first-degree murder. He was assured by law enforcement that the murderer of his sister would never be released from custody. In honor of his sister's memory, Jeff decided to pursue a career in law. He served as a Governor's Fellow in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General and law clerk to the judges of Virginia's 17th Judicial Circuit. In 1995, Jeff joined a homicide survivors' support group sponsored by the Fairfax County Police Department. As Jeff listened to other victims voice their concerns with the criminal justice system, he suggested that the victims join together and work to change the law. As a grassroots lobbyist in the Virginia General Assembly, Jeff was successful in having 13 bills enacted into law. Those measures enlarged the definition of a victim, and expanded victims' rights to be present in the courtroom, to offer oral victim impact testimony, confer with prosecutors, and testify by closed-circuit video. In 1998, Jeff joined the staff of the National Center for Victims of Crime, where he serves as Deputy Director for the National Crime Victim Bar Association. In 2002, Jeff was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to serve on the Virginia Criminal Justice Services Board, where he chairs the Victim/Witness Issues Advisory Committee. In 2005, he was honored by the Northern Virginia Victims' Alliance as a Champion of Justice and by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services as one of the individuals who has had the greatest impact on crime victims' rights in Virginia during the past 10 years. Jeff was nominated by Chief of Police David Rohrer, Fairfax County Police Department, with support from Paul McNulty, U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia, and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.
Andy Kahan Andy Kahan went to work in 1992 as the Director of the Mayor's Crime Victims' Office in Houston, Texas. Andy works closely with local crime and victims' rights organizations to facilitate the pooling of resources and the exchange of information. In addition, the office monitors parole and crime statistics, represents victims before the parole board, puts crime victims in touch with local crime victims' support and advocacy groups, and represents the mayor before various interagency crime groups. Since the inception of the Mayor's Crime Victims' Office. It has had great success working with the legislature in support of crime victims. Policy changes include abolishing the mandatory release of convicted felons; promoting gun safety by making adults criminally responsible for failure to properly store firearms; enacting a policy to allow victims' families to witness executions; mandating that the parole board meet with either the victims or family members before a vote takes place; and notifying victims of those found not guilty by reason of insanity of court hearings, furloughs, and discharges. In the fall of 1999, Andy began a national campaign to stop the Nation's largest Internet auction site (E-Bay) from selling "murderabilia," gruesome personal mementos of violent criminals. Items being sold for profit included autographs, letters, artwork, and a variety of personalized products that commemorated their crimes. As a result of Andy's work, several states including Texas, California, New Jersey, and Michigan passed legislation prohibiting "Notoriety for Profit" by criminals. Several other states are also considering passing similar legislation. The law spearheaded by Andy allows states to seize any and all profits from the sale of goods once owned or made by convicted criminals, as long as it can be shown that the item's value has been enhanced by the owner's connection to the crime. Prior to Andy's campaign to stop this practice, neither federal nor state law prohibited it. In over a decade, the policy and law changes spearheaded by Andy have had an enormous impact on the safety of the citizens of the greater Houston area. In addition, Andy's tireless efforts to change policy benefits, protects, and honors crime victims and survivors nationwide. Andy was nominated by Diana Bratton, Victim Assistance Coordinator, Greeley Police Department, Greeley, Colorado. |
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