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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-17 ProclamationItem Number: 2.a. May 17, 2022 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description National Gun Violence Awareness Day proclamation City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, every day, more than 110 Americans are killed by gun violence, alongside more than 200 who are shot and wounded, and on average there are more than 16,000-gun homicides every year; and Whereas, Iowa has an average of 302-gun deaths every year, with a rate of 9.4 deaths per 100,000 people and has the 42nd 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; Whereas, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate gun violence after more than two years of increased gun sales, increased calls to suicide and domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in city gun violence; and Whereas, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on June 3, 2022 to recognize her 25th birthday people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to Hadiya Pendleton, other victims of gun violence and the loved ones of those victims; 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 announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods, and orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life; and Whereas, anyone can join this campaign by pledging to Wear Orange on June 3rd, the first Friday of June in 2022, to help raise awareness about gun violence; and Whereas, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and 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, I, Bruce Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim the first Friday in June, June 3, 2022 to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day and encourage all citizens to support their communities' efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives. �— . 'for Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, ,,„ei' '� i; this 17th day of May 2022. Item Number: 2.b. May 17, 2022 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description National P olice Week proclamation City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, in 1962 President John Kennedy set aside this week to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers of this nation, and to memorialize those who have fallen in the line of duty; and Whereas, the police officers and their support staff in Iowa City work with courage and dedication to enforce the laws fairly, to reduce crime and violence, and in general to improve the quality of life for everyone in this community; and Whereas, the dedicated officers who have chosen Law Enforcement as a career often face unknown or extraordinary risk and danger in preserving our freedom and security; and Whereas, these individuals are parents, siblings, children, and so we give gratitude to their families for supporting them in their career; and Whereas, officers of the Iowa City Police Department play a growing role as ones who promote harmony and mutual respect among community members in an increasingly diverse population; and Whereas, as we wish to give everyone an opportunity to appreciate and thank the officers and support staff of the Iowa City Police Department who dedicate their lives to public service. Now, therefore, I, Bruce Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim the week of May 15-21, 2022 to be National Police Week in Iowa City and urge all community members to participate fully in this observance and further extend appreciation to our Police Chief Dustin Liston and the officers of the Iowa City Police Department and to all law enforcement for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the community they serve. Mayor f Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, this 17th day of May 2022.