Senate Resolution No. 2518

BY: Senator MYRIE

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        June 2022, as Gun Violence Awareness  Month  in  the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside  to  increase  awareness  of  serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative  Body  to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2022, as Gun Violence
Awareness  Month  in  the  State  of  New  York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Month; and

  WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease  Control,  there  were
approximately 40,000 people killed by guns in the United States in 2019;
and

  WHEREAS,  According  to  Gun  Violence  Archive  (GVA),  a nonprofit
organization that tracks media and law enforcement reports of shootings,
at least 15,208 people were killed by guns in the United States in 2019,
not including suicides; and

  WHEREAS, Gun-related deaths are  the  leading  cause  of  death  for
American  children,  including approximately 3,400 gun-related homicides
for 2019; and

  WHEREAS, The New York State Department of Criminal Justice  Services
reports  that  in 2019, of the nearly 70,000 violent crimes committed in
New York State, nearly 8,000 involved a firearm; and

  WHEREAS,  Gun  violence  continues  to  be  a   devastating   crisis
throughout the state with an increase of shootings and murders typically
occurring in the summer months; and

  WHEREAS, The damage caused by gun violence is not limited by gender,
race, sexual orientation or ethnicity; and

  WHEREAS,  The effects of gun violence extend far beyond those struck
by a bullet; and

  WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness  of
this  serious  issue  including  prevention, intervention, education and
outreach; and

  WHEREAS, Increased awareness and coordination among all stakeholders
is critical to the prevention of gun violence, the equal  protection  of
our  citizens,  and  to  ensure  our  state's safety for our youth; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2022, as Gun Violence
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further


  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.