Senate Resolution No. 814

BY: Senator COMRIE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 2, 2017, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days set aside to increase awareness of serious issues which
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 sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2, 2017, as Gun
Violence Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, On June 2, 2017, American citizens are encouraged to wear
orange to show their desire to end gun violence in our great Nation; and

WHEREAS, On January 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old high
school student from the south side of Chicago, marched in President
Obama's 2nd Inaugural Parade; one week later, she was tragically shot
and killed; and

WHEREAS, Deeply saddened by her senseless death, Hadiya Pendleton's
friends and classmates chose to wear the color orange to remember her
life; they chose this bright color because that is what hunters wear in
the woods to protect themselves and others from unfortunate accidents;
and

WHEREAS, On June 2, 2015, what would have been Hadiya Pendleton's
18th Birthday, a broad-based coalition asked people nationwide to join
her friends in honoring her life, plus those of the 91 Americans shot
and killed every day; and

WHEREAS, What started in a south side high school to celebrate
Hadiya Pendleton has turned into a nationwide movement to honor all
lives cut short by gun violence; Wear Orange Day is also a celebration
of life and a call to action to help save lives from gunfire; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of people and organizations, including former
President Barack Obama, Russell Simmons, Talib Kweli and Questlove, as
well as the New York Mets, MTV, and Motown Records answered the call,
taking to social media to show their support; and

WHEREAS, The Wear Orange movement, which was inspired by bold and
creative Chicago teenagers who refused to be silent in the face of daily
gun violence, reached an astonishing 220 million people in just one day;
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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2, 2017, as Gun
Violence Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

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