By Staff
CASSOPOLIS - The legacies of Ronald Reagan and George Gipp, as well as the oratory skills of William Van Regenmorter, will play an important part in Cass County's 25th anniversary celebration of Crime Victims' Rights Week April 10-16.
State Rep. William Van Regenmorter, the nationally-recognized sponsor of Michigan's victims' rights legislation, will be the featured speaker at this year's victims' rights luncheon sponsored by the Cass County Prosecutor's Office Friday, April 15, at the Council on Aging.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz encourages the public to attend all events.
Student and senior citizen participation in essay and poster competitions will also play an important role in the silver anniversary celebration.
In 1981, President Ronald W. Reagan recognized the devastating impact of violence on victims, proclaiming the first National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
Our nation's 40th president, who passed away in 2004, had a sincere concern and desire to help crime victims. Too often their voices had been muffled or even silenced during the criminal justice process involving their cases.
Around the time that Reagan was declaring the first national Victim's Rights Week observance, a Michigan senator from Ottawa County, Van Regenmorter, led a state and national charge to establish victims' rights legislation throughout the country. He served as the primary author of Michigan's victims' rights legislation and remains active in preserving these gains.
David Beatty, former executive director for the National Center for Victims of Crime in Washington, D.C., has stated, "Rep. Van Regenmorter has done more to advance the cause of victims' rights in the United States than any other state legislator. From my point of view, his career as a statesman and champion of victims' rights can best be described by one simple statement: he brought criminals to justice and justice to criminals."
During his push for victims' rights, Van Regenmorter has been featured nationally by "Good Morning America," "60 Minutes," Court TV, USA Today, Reader's Digest and other publications. Dubbed the "father of crime victims' rights," Van Regenmorter has seen his Michigan crime victims' rights act become a national model.
Also in attendance at the April 15 victims' rights luncheon will be George Anderson. Anderson's 18-year-old son, Matthew Anderson, died in 2004 at the end of a tragic car chase which began in Indiana and terminated in Cass County.
Shortly before his death, Matthews had been the "George Gipp model" for much of the artwork in Michiana artist Bruce Langton illustrations in the compelling story of a Notre Dame football legend, "Win One for the Gipper."
Ironically, prior to his entry into public service, President Reagan, like Michael Anderson, also portrayed Gipp. Reagan's portrayal of this South Bend and national hero came as an actor in the acclaimed movie, "Win One for the Gipper."
Student winners of the Crime Victims' Rights Week essay and poster competition will receive a free copy of the short story, "Win One for the Gipper."
Each copy will be autographed by Langton. All essay and poster entries will be on public display throughout the week of April 10-16.
All events of the silver anniversary celebration of Crime Victims' Rights Week sponsored by the Cass County Prosecutor's Office are listed below:
Essay/poster competition
entries at COA April 11
Students in grades 9-12 have been invited to submit essays. Students in grades 1-6 have been invited to submit posters exemplifying this year's theme, "Justice Isn't Served Until Crime Victims Are."
Entries will be on display at the Cass Count Council on Aging on Monday, April 11, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Senior citizen volunteers will evaluate entries at that time and choose finalists from a variety of categories. Light refreshments will be provided.
Winners of the poster and essay competition will be announced at the Friday, April 15, luncheon at the COA.
Flag pole ceremony
at Law/Courts April 13
The annual flag pole ceremony will take place at noon Wednesday, April 13, at the Law and Courts Building on M-62.
This sober ceremony allows community members to remember and to give a moment of silence on behalf of all victims in Cass County who have lost their lives due to crime.
Student essays and posters will be on display.
All victims and community members are encouraged to attend.
Light refreshments will follow.
Luncheon,
Friday, April 15
A luncheon open to the public will be provided on Friday, April 15, at the Cass County Council on Aging from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all finalists in the poster and essay contests, along with members and volunteers of the COA, Cass County dignitaries, law enforcement, victims and community members, with Rep. Van Regenmorter as featured speaker.
At the luncheon the first-place overall essay award winner will receive a $100 savings bond.
Other essay and poster finalists from each grade will receive a personally-autographed copy of "Win One for the Gipper."
Framed copies of the winning posters and essays will remain on display in the Prosecutor's Office for one year. They will then be returned to the students who prepared them. These student works have proven to be of comfort to crime victims as they meet with the prosecutor's staff and await their day in court.
Questions, or to RSVP for the Friday luncheon ($5 per person) can contact Amanda Smego, victims' rights coordinator, at 269/445-4469.