Senate Resolution No. 755

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

COMMENDING Vera House upon the occasion of its
23rd Annual White Ribbon Campaign

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those significant institutions within our midst that
continue to serve an integral role in helping to protect members of the
community and to educate the public on issues of importance; and

WHEREAS, Primary among such institutions are those individuals who,
year after year, diligently seek to empower those in need, promote a
culture of equality and respect, and assist individuals and families in
crisis; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
hereby recognize and commend Vera House upon the occasion of its 23rd
Annual White Ribbon Campaign, during which thousands of Central New
Yorkers will wear a white ribbon, wristband or white pin to help raise
awareness about domestic and sexual violence from March 1 - 31, 2017;
and

WHEREAS, In 1977, Vera House was founded in Syracuse by a group of
concerned residents, led by Sister Mary Vera, who recognized the dire
need for emergency sheltering services for women in crisis; and

WHEREAS, The original mission of Vera House blossomed into a wide
range of domestic violence services including outreach and advocacy,
domestic violence education programming, children's counseling, the
Syracuse Area Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition, and a domestic
violence education program for male perpetrators; and

WHEREAS, Today, the continuous mission of Vera House is to help end
and prevent all domestic and sexual violence, to assist individuals and
families in crisis, and to promote a culture of equality and respect
through various outreach programs and services, such as the annual White
Ribbon Campaign; and

WHEREAS, The White Ribbon Campaign is led by men and encourages all
members of the community - men and women, young and old - to take an
active role in preventing domestic and sexual violence by joining their
awareness efforts; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the month of March, more than 20,000 Central New
Yorkers are expected to be involved with the White Ribbon Campaign; they
will wear a white ribbon or white wristband to raise awareness about
domestic and sexual violence, while making an important statement that
they will not commit, condone or remain silent about such violence; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Executive Director Randi
Bregman, Vera House will also hold several community events during the
White Ribbon Campaign, including the White Ribbon Campaign Breakfast on
March 1st, the White Ribbon Campaign Kick-Off Walk in the City of
Syracuse, the White Ribbon Campaign at the Dome, and the White Ribbon

Campaign Education Challenge to help promote awareness and prevention in
local schools; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
hereby recognize and commend Vera House upon the occasion of its 23rd
Annual White Ribbon Campaign, and to support the ongoing efforts within
the community to eliminate domestic and sexual violence in Central New
York and beyond; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Randi Bregman, Executive Director of Vera House.