Senator McMorrow offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 58.

A resolution to recognize June 7, 2019, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Whereas, We honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence. Our country must do more to reduce gun violence; and

Whereas, Every day, 100 Americans are killed by gun violence and countless others are wounded; and       

Whereas, Americans are 25 times more likely to be killed with guns than people in other high-income countries; and 

Whereas, Protecting public safety in the communities they serve is among a governor’s highest responsibilities; and     

Whereas, Support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from people that shouldn’t have them; and 

Whereas, June 2019 would have marked the 22nd birthday of Hadiya Pendleton, a teenager who marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade and was tragically shot and killed just weeks later; and 

Whereas, To honor Hadiya, and the 100 Americans whose lives are cut short as well as the countless others who are wounded by gun violence every day, June 7, 2019, has been designated as the fifth National Gun Violence Awareness Day; and 

Whereas, The idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange; they chose this color because hunters wear orange to protect themselves and others. Orange is a color that has been embraced by the gun safety movement because it symbolizes the value of human life; and 

Whereas, By wearing orange and commemorating National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 7, Americans will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives and lost human potential of Americans stolen by gun violence; and 

Whereas, We renew our commitment to reduce gun violence, pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our children safe; now, therefore, be it            

Resolved by the Senate, That members of this legislative body recognize June 7, 2019, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage all citizens to support their communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.