Senate Resolution No. 1424 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 1-7, 2022, 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 7, 2022, 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 1-7, 2022, 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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.