Letters To The Editor

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Dear Chad,

Congress has significantly cut funds that go to local crime victim assistance programs for the past two years and is considering more cuts to Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding for the 2009 federal budget. If the 2009 cuts are approved, the Texas victim assistance allocation will have been reduced by 42 percent from 2006 to 2009.

The events of recent weeks in El Dorado have brought new attention to the need to provide appropriate services to the 47,000 Texas children in CPS care annually due to evidence of abuse and neglect. Now is not the time to decrease available federal assistance to these victims or to other crime victims.

These cuts are especially disheartening when you consider that the federal Crime Victim's Fund will be at $2 billion by the end of 2008. Another important factor is that this is a dedicated fund that can be only used for crime victims and is generated from federal criminal fines and penalties, not taxpayer revenue.

Congress should not be balancing the budget to the detriment of thousands of crime victims and victim assistance programs. We hope that Congressman Hensarling, Senator Hutchison and Senator Cornyn will join us in standing up for crime victims and restoring 2009 VOCA victim assistance funds to the 2006 funding level. These crime victims deserve no less.

Sincerely, Lee Ann Millender

Executive Director CASA of Trinity Valley

In reply to the letter written by Mr. Joe S. Parker on April 24, 2008, concerning illegal gambling halls, I'd like to know his definition of "good people." My mother, before she died, used to look forward to going once or twice a week. She would always talk about the good time she had socializing with her friends. They'd have potluck dinners, win prizes and meet new friends. That was something she enjoyed.

As far as religion, she was a very active member in the church and paid her tithes every month. She was a very sweet and respected person.

As far as your law enforcement, I would hope that they were spending their time saving our children from drug dealers, child molesters and drunk drivers. And the church leaders hopefully are doing the same, and not judging anyone.

Could it be that you never found the "good people" because you don't know who they are? I wonder why?

Naomi Coats and M. Sharinger, Chandler, Texas