LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim October 22-26, 2012, as Rose Brucia Stranger Safety Awareness
Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing official
weeks established to increase awareness of serious issues that affect
the lives of all New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 22-26, 2012, as Rose Brucia
Stranger Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York; each year, the
third week in October will be declared as Rose Brucia Stranger Safety
Awareness Week in New York State; and
WHEREAS, The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation was founded by Matthew
J. Barbis when his 11 year-old cousin, Carlie Brucia, was abducted and
murdered in Sarasota, Florida, in 2004; the Foundation was named after
Rose Brucia, Matthew's grandmother; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Rose Brucia Educational Foundation is to
reduce the number of child abductions in America by educating and
empowering young minds with the knowledge necessary to avoid abduction;
and
WHEREAS, The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation so effectively is
carrying out its mission by spreading its vital message to all elementa-
ry school-aged children across the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Utilizing puppets and simple self-defense techniques, the
Rose Brucia Educational Foundation provides elementary schools with the
Rose Brucia Stranger Safety Awareness Program at no charge; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Rose Brucia Stranger Safety Aware-
ness Program has been welcomed into the community with open arms;
Matthew Barbis's way of life was sadly changed by Carlie's tragedy which
prompted him to take serious action and help other children in America;
and
WHEREAS, Carlie Brucia's story was highly publicized and today stands
as a call to action for families and individuals everywhere to stand up
to child predators; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when founda-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 22-26, 2012, as
Rose Brucia Stranger Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Matthew J. Barbis, Founder, Rose Brucia Educational Founda-
tion.