Senate Resolution No. 1961

BY: Senator MYRIE

COMMEMORATING the life and legacy of Ari
Halberstam on the 28th Anniversary of his tragic
murder

WHEREAS, On March 5, 1994, Ari Halberstam of Brooklyn, New York,
tragically lost his life at the age of 16 as a result of an antisemitic
terrorist attack at the Brooklyn Bridge; and

WHEREAS, One of the weapons used in this attack was a machine
pistol, which was assembled from a kit sold through mail order and was
legal because it did not include a finished receiver; and

WHEREAS, Over the past few years, New York has seen a renewed rise
in antisemitism and antisemitic attacks; and

WHEREAS, Gun violence has also seen a revival, returning to levels
not seen for years; and

WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the living to honor the life
and legacy of the lost and through their memory, we strengthen our
resolve to save the lives of others; and

WHEREAS, Ari Halberstam was a bright and passionate individual, as
dedicated to his studies as he was to basketball; and

WHEREAS, In Ari's memory, his family led the fight to ensure New
York would be a leader in protecting civilians from the gun kits that
were used to kill Ari, brought that fight to Washington, D.C., and
established the Jewish Children's Museum; and

WHEREAS, No one else should ever face the grief and trauma that
comes with losing a child to gun violence; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the life and legacy of Ari Halberstam on the 28th
Anniversary of his tragic murder, and to continue the fight against gun
violence; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ari's mother, Devorah Halberstam.