Declare Gun Violence Awareness Day

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.