A resolution expressing support for the designation of November 20, 2024, through December 20, 2024, as "National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month".

Bill: 118-sres-929
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2024-12-17
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: S7107-7108)

Summaries:

tv_txt: III 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 929 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 17 (legislative day, December 16), 2024 Mr. Markey (for himself, Ms. Warren , and Mr. Van Hollen ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of November 20, 2024, through December 20, 2024, as National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month .

Whereas the United States faces a national public health crisis of gun violence; Whereas, on average, over 20,000 homicides each year continue to rob families and communities of loved ones; Whereas homicides increased by 30 percent in 2020, compounding the many deaths caused by COVID–19; Whereas, for every 1 homicide victim, there are at least 10 surviving family members, and the number of survivors of homicide victims grows greater each year as they navigate life after the tragic loss of their loved one; Whereas homicide victims are loved and grieved by parents, grandparents, siblings, family members, partners, children, friends, neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and communities across the country; Whereas, in the United States, almost 1 in 4 Black and Hispanic or Latinx adults report having lost a loved one to a gun-related homicide; Whereas losing a loved one to homicide is one of the most traumatic events a person can experience; Whereas, in the United States, homicide is the leading cause of death for Black teenagers and the second leading cause of death for teenagers overall; Whereas more than 1/2 of women who are victims of homicides are killed because of intimate partner violence; Whereas 40 percent of homicides in the United States go unsolved; Whereas losing a loved one to homicide results in short-term and chronic physical and behavioral health consequences that carry significant behavioral and economic burdens on families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss; Whereas all families of homicide victims deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion; Whereas surviving family members need holistic, coordinated, compassionate, and consistent support and services in the immediate aftermath of a homicide and ongoing opportunities for healing in the months and years afterward; Whereas surviving family members want to remember and honor their loved ones' lives regardless of the circumstances surrounding their death; Whereas survivors of homicide victims are transforming their pain into purpose by informing, influencing, and impacting public policy, and working to create and sustain an environment where all families can live in peace and all people are valued; Whereas survivors, advocates, and providers are working together to implement equitable and effective community-based responses to homicide; Whereas the leadership of surviving family and community members is essential to disrupting cycles of violence and promoting peace in all communities; and Whereas recognition of the needs of survivors can help combat trauma, foster healing, and inform joy for families and communities impacted by homicide: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) expresses support for the designation of November 20, 2024, through December 20, 2024, as National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month ; (2) supports efforts to— (A) raise awareness of survivors of homicide victims; (B) take care of those affected by homicide, including families, schools, and communities, with appropriate services and information; and (C) encourage research to— (i) better address the needs of families and communities severely impacted by violence; and (ii) consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, behavioral health services for survivors of homicide victims; and (3) calls on the people of the United States, interest groups, and affected persons to— (A) promote awareness of survivors of homicide victims; (B) take an active role in the fight to end gun violence and homicide; (C) respond to all families suffering in the aftermath of homicide with consistency, compassion, and competence, and by centering the principles of love, unity, faith, hope, courage, justice, and forgiveness; and (D) observe National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month with appropriate activities.