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.