Assembly Resolution No. 51

BY: M. of A. Dickens

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
February 1-8, 2021, as Gun Violence Survivors Week
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Every year, more than 36,000 Americans are killed as a
result of gun violence and 73,000 more are shot and wounded; and

WHEREAS, More than 700 New Yorkers are killed and many more injured
as a result of gun violence each year; and

WHEREAS, A gun violence survivor is anyone who has personally
experienced gun violence, whether as a witness of an act of gun
violence, someone who was threatened or wounded with a gun or as a
family member or friend of someone who was wounded or killed as a result
of gun violence; and

WHEREAS, Forms of gun violence can include, but are not limited to,
gun suicides, gun homicides, domestic violence involving a gun,
shootings by law enforcement, mass shootings and unintentional
shootings; and

WHEREAS, Fifty-eight percent of American adults or someone they care
for has experienced gun violence in their lifetime, demonstrating the
reach and impact gun violence has in all communities; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the devastating human cost, every year gun
violence costs the American economy $229 billion; and

WHEREAS, The week of February 1 through February 8, 2021, is a
symbolic choice for Gun Violence Survivors Week for the reason that it
represents the time by early February when more Americans are killed
with guns than are killed in other high-income countries in an entire
year; and

WHEREAS, Moms Demand Action started as a community of moms and dads
working together to address gun violence in response to the Sandy Hook
tragedy that occurred in Connecticut on December 14, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Today, Moms Demand Action is a national network of parents,
families, students and concerned citizens dedicated to keeping families
safe, encouraging responsible gun ownership and advocating for
common-sense gun safety legislation; and

WHEREAS, Moms Demand Action, along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns,
Students Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network, is part of
Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention
organization in the country, with nearly 6 million supporters and
350,000 donors; and

WHEREAS, Everytown for Gun Safety is joined by several other
national nonprofit organizations, including the Brady Campaign and
Gifford's Law Center, in the pursuit to end gun violence in America; and

WHEREAS, By recognizing Gun Violence Survivors Week, New York State
joins communities across America to raise awareness about gun violence
and honor the lives lost; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 1-8, 2021, as
Gun Violence Survivors Week in the State of New York, in conjunction
with the observance of National Gun Violence Survivors Week; 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.