ENROLLED ORIGINAL
1
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-237
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 11, 2024
To recognize the month of June 2024 as “Gun Violence Awareness Month” in the District
of Columbia.
WHEREAS, Hadiya Pendleton, a teenager from Chicago who marched in the presidential
inaugural parade in January 2013 and was tragically shot and killed weeks later, should be
celebrating her 27
th
birthday this year;
WHEREAS, to help honor Hadiya and to raise awareness of the epidemic of gun violence
in the United States, a national coalition of organizations has designated the first Friday in
June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the month of June as Gun Violence
Awareness Month;
WHEREAS, there are an average of nearly 60 gun homicides across the country each
day, and nearly 100 Americans are harmed by guns e very day;
WHEREAS, in the District of Columbia in 2023, 235 people were ki lled by gunfire and
749 more were injured;
WHEREAS, in the District of Columbia in 2023, 16 children were killed by gunfire and
93 more were injured;
WHEREAS, gun violence is a disease and public health crisis and “prevention” means
the absence of that disease; and
WHEREAS, t he Council of the District of Columbia encourages all District residents to
look for ways to support their local communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun
violence and honor and value precious human life.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Gun Violence Awareness Month Recognition Resolution of
2024.”
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares the month of June 2024 as “Gun
Violence Awareness Month” in the District of Columbia. 2
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.