HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-16 ProclamationAttachments:National Gun Violence Awareness Day proclamation
Item Number: 2.a.
May 16, 2023
National Gun Violence Awareness Day
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, every day, more than 120 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than 200
are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 17,000 gun homicides every year making
Americans 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income
countries; and
Whereas, IOWA has 323 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 10 deaths per 100,000 people, a
crisis that costs the state $4.2 billion each year, of which $53 million is paid by taxpayers.
IOWA has the 41st highest rate of gun deaths in the US; and
Whereas, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand
with keeping guns away from people with dangerous histories; and
Whereas, mayors and law enforcement officers —in partnership with local violence
intervention activists and resources —know their communities best, are the most familiar with
local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep
their citizens safe; and
Whereas, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as we see an increase in
firearm homicides and nonfatal shootings across the country, increased calls to domestic
violence hotlines, and an increase in city gun violence; and
Whereas, on January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on
June 2, 2023 to recognize her 26th birthday people across the United States will recognize
National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to her and other victims of
gun violence; an idea inspired by a group of Hadiya's friends, who asked classmates to
commemorate her life by wearing orange choosing this color because hunters in the field or
woods wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters and orange is a color that
symbolizes the value of human life; and
Whereas, by wearing orange on June 2, 2023 Americans will raise awareness about senseless
gun violence, honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors; and commit to work with
evidence-based solutions to reduce gun violence, pledging to do all we can to keep our families
and communities safe.
Now, therefore, I, Bruce Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim the first Friday in
June, June 2, 2023 to be
National Gun Violence Awareness Day
and I encourage all citizens to support their local communities' efforts to prevent the tragic
effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
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Mayor
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
',a this 16th day of May 2023.
Attachments:National Public Works Week proclamation
Item Number: 2.b.
May 16, 2023
National Public Works Week
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City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, public works professionals of the Iowa City Public Works Department focus
on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to a sustainable and
resilient community and to the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the
City of Iowa City; and
Whereas, these infrastructure, facilities and services could not be provided without the
dedicated efforts of our public works professionals who are responsible for maintaining,
improving and protecting our transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid
waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our
community members; and
Whereas, it is in the public interest for the community members and civic leaders to
gain knowledge of and maintain a progressive interest and understanding of the
importance of public works and public works programs in Iowa City; and
Whereas, the year 2023 marks the 63rd annual National Public Works Week sponsored
by the American Public Works Association; and
Whereas, the 2023 National Public Works Week theme "Connecting the World
Through Public Works" highlights the way public works professionals connect us
physically, through infrastructure, and inspirationally, through service to our community,
whether as first responders, or daily workers carrying out their duties with pride.
Now, therefore, I, Bruce Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim the week
of May 21 to May 27, 2023 to be
National Public Works Week
in Iowa City and urge all community members and civic organizations to acquaint
themselves with the issues involved in providing our public works and to recognize the
substantial contributions which public works professionals make every day to our health,
safety, comfort and quality of life.
Tijast„s2_,
Ma
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
(44 the 16th day of May 2023.
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