Senators Hertel, Bieda, Hood, Young, Warren, Hopgood and Ananich offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 122.

A resolution to designate December 9-16, 2015, as Remembrance for All Victims of Gun Violence Week in Michigan.

Whereas, Twenty children and six teachers were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School  in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012; and

Whereas, In the United States, an average of seven children and teens under the age of 20 are killed by guns every day; and

Whereas, American children die by guns 11 times as often as children in other high-income countries; and

Whereas, Since 1968, more Americans have perished in acts of domestic gun violence than in all the wars in our nation’s history; and

Whereas, Gun violence claims the lives of over 30,000 Americans every year, with over 19,000 suicides and over 11,000 homicides; and

Whereas, The faith communities, the peace communities, the education communities, and the medical communities of Michigan wish to honor and remember all victims of gun violence in thoughtful prayer, contemplation, and quiet reflection; and

Whereas, The National Vigil to #End Gun Violence is a nationwide observance to honor the lives and memories of the victims from December 9-16, 2015; and

Whereas, We as a state must do what we can to reduce this growing epidemic of gun violence in our state and our country; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body designate December 9-16, 2015, as Remembrance for All Victims of Gun Violence Week in Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That each of us is encouraged to honor our peacemakers and renew our commitment to the prevention of gun violence in the future.