WHEREAS, The Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence brings awareness to gun violence and the role young people, as individuals, can play in reducing gun violence; and
WHEREAS, On the Day of National Concern, students in schools across the country voluntarily sign the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, President Bill Clinton and the United States Senate first recognized the Day of National Concern and encouraged the national distribution of the Student Pledge. Since then, over 10 million students have signed the pledge; and
WHEREAS, The pledge for young students says: “If I see a gun, I won’t touch it. I will remember that any gun I see might be loaded. I know how important it is to keep myself safe”; and
WHEREAS, The pledge for older students says: “I will never bring a gun to school; I will never use a gun to settle a personal problem or dispute; I will use my influence with my friends to keep them from using guns to settle disputes. My individual choices and actions, when multiplied by those of young people throughout the country, will make a difference. Together, by honoring this pledge we can reverse the violence and grow up in safety”; and
WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, firearm violence - including suicides, homicides, and accidental deaths - is the leading cause of death of children and adolescents; and
WHEREAS, The daily effects of gun violence are felt by residents across the City of Philadelphia, especially younger Philadelphians. It is, therefore, imperative for young people to understand and acknowledge the power they have, as a collective, to end gun violence in the City of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes October 16, 2024, as the Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence in the City of Philadelphia.
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