Honoring, recognizing and commending CeaseFirePA for its extraordinary service and dedication to reducing gun violence by educating and mobilizing people across Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, CeaseFirePA

is a coalition of nearly 50,000 Pennsylvanians, including citizens, public officials, faith leaders, and police united in their stand against gun violence; and

WHEREAS,

CeaseFirePA was founded in 2002 and has established itself as a primary gun violence prevention network and a vocal presence

in the policy discussion about public safety and violence prevention in communities across Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, CeaseFirePA's mission is to minimize gun violence by educating citizens of Pennsylvania to take action in favor of commonsense reforms to protect communities and to crack down on individuals who traffic guns illegally; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, CeaseFirePA worked with state legislators to achieve the first vote on a gun violence issue in more than 10 years which jumpstarted the issue in Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, In 2009 and 2010, CeaseFirePA developed a credible voice and established local footholds with municipal action in communities across Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, CeaseFirePA believes that in order to reverse the perception that illegal gun possession is not a serious offense, judges need to begin treating it as gravely as they would a violent act; and

WHEREAS, CeaseFirePA's strong advocacy and firm belief that gun violence is preventable, not inevitable, will continue to be a driving force for change throughout the Commonwealth; now, therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor, recognize, and commend CeaseFirePA for its

extraordinary service and

dedication to reducing gun violence by educating and mobilizing people across Pennsylvania.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to CeaseFirePA as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End