Senate Resolution No. 913 BY: Senator MYRIE MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2023, as Gun Violence Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2023, as Gun Violence Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, According to the latest available statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 48,830 Americans died of gun-related injuries in 2021, more than in any other year on record; and WHEREAS, This figure includes gun murders and suicides, along with three less common types of gun-related deaths tracked by the CDC, those that were accidental, those that involved law enforcement, and those whose circumstances could not be determined; and WHEREAS; In 2021, about eight-in-ten murders in the United States, 20,958 out of 26,031, or 81%, involved a firearm, marking the highest percentage since 1968; and WHEREAS, Gun murders, in particular, have climbed sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing 45% between 2019 and 2021, while the number of gun suicides rose 10% during that span; and WHEREAS, Gun violence continues to be a devastating crisis throughout the state with an increase of shootings and murders typically occurring in the summer months; and WHEREAS, The damage caused by gun violence is not limited by gender, race, sexual orientation or ethnicity; and WHEREAS, The effects of gun violence extend far beyond those struck by a bullet; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious issue including prevention, intervention, education and outreach; and WHEREAS, Increased awareness and coordination among all stakeholders is critical to the prevention of gun violence, the equal protection of our citizens, and to ensure our state's safety for our youth; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2023, as Gun Violence Awareness Month in the State of New York; 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.