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Home My WebLink About2025-05-20 ProclamationItem Number: 2.a. a CITY OF IOWA CITY "QR T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT May 20, 2025 National Gun Violence Awareness Day Attachments: National Gun Violence Awareness Day proclamation City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, every day, 125 people in the United States are killed by gun violence and more than J 260 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year; and Whereas, Iowa has an average of 343 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 10.7 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 42nd highest rate of gun deaths in the US; and Whereas, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding residents goes hand -in - hand with keeping guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or others; and Whereas, elected officials 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 community members safe; and Whereas, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as we see gun violence continue to impact communities across the country; and Whereas, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on June 6, 2025 to recognize the 28th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton (born: June 2, 1997), people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to (1) Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence; and (2) the loved ones of those victims; and Whereas, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe. Now, therefore, I, Bruce Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim the first Friday in June, June 6, 2025 to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Iowa City and encourage all residents to support their local communities' efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and val uman lives. RA. yor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, this 20th day of May 2025.