LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Vera House upon the occasion of cele-
brating its 21st 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 honor Vera House upon the occasion of celebrating its 21st
Annual White Ribbon Campaign; 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, under the able leadership of Executive Director Randi
Bregman, the mission of Vera House is to help end and prevent all domes-
tic 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 Annual 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, From March 20th to March 29th, thousands of Central New York-
ers 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, Vera House will hold several community events during its 21st
Annual White Ribbon Campaign, including the White Ribbon Campaign Break-
fast, the White Ribbon Campaign Kick-Off Walk, plus the new Food Truck
Rodeo, 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
hereby recognize and honor Vera House upon the occasion of celebrating
its 21st 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.