National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Nancy Ruhe
September 9, 2009 POMC Director
(888) 818-7662 Office
513-543-8183 cell
natlpomc@aol.com

Yang Zhao
MCVRC
301-952-0063
www.mdcrimevictims.org


Washington, D.C.- - - The 3rd annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder
Victims will be observed on Friday, September 25th, 2009. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime and hosted by the National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. (POMC), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, Inc. (MCVRC). This special observance honors the lives of murder victims; publicly recognizes the impact of homicide on their surviving family members and friends; and pays tribute to those organizations that work with and provide services to survivors of homicide victims.

Since the year 2000, more than 113,000 persons have been murdered in the United States. Last year alone, 16,742 individuals lost their lives through acts of human violence. 1] For all these murder victims, there are untold numbers of mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters, friends, co-workers, and neighbors whose lives are forever altered by the tragedy and horror of suddenly losing a loved one.

The National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims sends a powerful message to these courageous survivors, family members and friends that we, as a Nation, remember their tragedy, honor their courage, and vow to do whatever we can to help them rebuild their lives.

· An educational symposium will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., Washington, from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
· A Candlelight Vigil will take place at The National Press Club, 529 14th Street, Washington, DC, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Survivors of homicide victims from across the United States will be in attendance as well as criminal justice professionals and those interested in public policy. Dan Levey, National President of POMC, said “The National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims is a reminder to everyone in our nation that our loved ones lived, loved, and laughed and that we will never forget them.” Survivors will be able to speak to the media.

POMC was founded in 1978 by Robert and Charlotte Hullinger in Cincinnati
Ohio, after the murder of their 19-year-old daughter Lisa. POMC has grown significantly over the past 30 years with more than 300 Chapters and Representatives across the country. The mission of POMC is to make a difference through on-going emotional support, education, prevention, advocacy and awareness.

MADD was founded in 1980 out of the outrage of one grieving California mother who simply said “enough.” From that moment on, faces and names took the place of what were previously just statistics. The first seeds were planted in what is still today one of the most widely recognized and influential grassroots groups in our country. The mission of MADD is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.

MCVRC was founded originally as the Stephanie Roper Committee and Foundation by Roberta and Vince Roper after the kidnapping, rape, and murder of their daughter, Stephanie. MCVRC’s mission is "To ensure that victims of crime receive justice and are treated with dignity and compassion through comprehensive victims' rights and services." As a victim and legal service provider, MCVRC is a national leader for victims’ rights and service both for individual victims and as a voice for victims of crime.

For more information about the free event or about the National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. please call their toll-free number (888) 818-7662 or visit our web site at www.pomc.org.

For more information about the Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, Inc. please call them in the D.C. metropolitan area on 301-952-0063 or their toll-free number (877) VICTIM-1 or visit their web site at www.mdcrimevictims.org or email on mail@mdcrimevictims.org

For more information about Mothers Against Drunk Driving please call their toll-free number 1-877-MADD-HELP or (877) 623-3435 or visit their web site at www.madd.org.

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1] Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports (Washington, DC: Federal
Investigation); for more information, see http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm.