LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Vera House upon the occasion of its
22nd 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 commend
Vera House upon the occasion of its 22nd Annual White Ribbon Campaign,
during which thousands of Central New Yorkers will wear a white ribbon
or 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, In 1977, Vera House was founded in Syracuse by a group of
concerned individuals 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 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, Under the able leadership of Executive Director Randi Breg-
man, Vera House will hold several community events during the White
Ribbon Campaign, including the White Ribbon Campaign Breakfast, the
White Ribbon Campaign Kick-Off Walk, the White Ribbon Campaign Night at
the Syracuse Crunch, plus the White Ribbon Campaign Dough Raiser at UNO
Pizzeria, and the White Ribbon Campaign Education Challenge to promote
awareness and prevention in local schools; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Vera House upon the occasion of its 22nd Annual White Ribbon
Campaign, and to support the ongoing efforts to eliminate domestic and
sexual violence in the Central New York community and beyond; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Randi Bregman, Executive Director, Vera House.