By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - George Anderson knows all too well how crime impacts a family and the painful feelings victims endure.
He lost his 18-year-old son, Matt, a year ago.
Matt Anderson modeled as George Gipp, who grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, for the autographed book given to each finalist in the poster contest for the 25th anniversary of Crime Victims' Rights Week April 10-16.
The book's illustrator, Michiana artist Bruce Langton, also lost a son at birth 22 years ago, Anderson said.
Anderson said those found guilty of offenses need to serve their full sentences. "Otherwise, we're sending the message, 'I can do a crime and I'm not going to get in trouble.' There has to be a deterrent. As a parent, I cry every night because I can't have that time back with my son. We had a great time and did a lot together."
Anderson's father died the week before Matt, who had written for the memorial service, "Love doesn't end with dying, and love doesn't leave with the last breath. For someone you love deeply, our love doesn't end with death."
State Rep. William Van Regenmorter, the nationally-recognized father of Michigan's victims' rights legislation, was the featured speaker at the victims' rights luncheon sponsored by the Cass County Prosecutor's Office Friday at the Council on Aging.
In 1981, President Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Our 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 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 and Reader's Digest.
Van Regenmorter has seen his Michigan crime victims' rights act become a national model.
Van Regenmorter said, "I was running for office in the early '80s. I was approached by two women. Both had husbands killed in a crash by drunk drivers. They wanted to attend the trial. The judge said, 'This is not a matter for you … There's no place for a victim in the Michigan system of justice.' Unfortunately, that judge was correct. I was elected and I'd made it a campaign commitment to work on a crime victims bill of rights" passed in 1985.
Rights written into law include the victims' equivalent of Miranda for defendants and what's happening - is the alleged perpetrator free on bail? Victims have the right to consult the prosecutor regarding disposition of the case. A prosecutor cannot cut a plea deal without conferring with the victim.