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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
26-163
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 2, 2026
To declare the month of June 2026 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 29th 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 Vio lence
Awareness Month;
WHEREAS, each year in the United States nearly 46,000 individuals are killed, nearly
97,000 individuals are wounded by gunfire, more than 19,000 individuals are killed in homicides
involving guns , nearly 26,000 individuals die by suicide using a gun , and more than 500
individuals are killed in unintentional shootings;1
WHEREAS, firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the
United States;2
WHEREAS, Black residents are disproportionately impacted by gun violence , with 9 out
of 10 victims of homicides and nonfatal shootings in the District of Columbia involving Black
individuals;3
1 Pew Research
2 John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
3 DC Justice Lab; Giffords
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, while the District has made significant progress towards the reduction of gun
violence, with a reduction from 431 to 103 offenses involving a gun from 2025 to 2026, continued
progress is necessary to end gun violence in the District;4
WHEREAS, gun violence prevention requires comprehensive public safety investments
including community investments in housing stability, a strong educational system, a pathway for
jobs, access to health care, bolstering communities through trauma healing, and investing in
community violence intervention services; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the District of Columbia remains committed to ending gun
violence in the District and building a peaceful city for all residents.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Gun Violence Awareness Month Recognition Resolution of 2026”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares the month of June 2026 as “Gun
Violence Awareness Month” in the District of Columbia and 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.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
4 Office of Gun Violence Prevention