WHEREAS, every day, more than 110 Americans are killed by gun violence, alongside more than 200 who are shot and wounded, and on average there are nearly 16,000 gun homicides every year; and

WHEREAS, Nevada has an average of 519 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 16.7 deaths per 100,000 people - the 16th highest rate of gun deaths in the US; and

WHEREAS, protecting public safety in the communities they serve is among a legislator’s highest responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate gun violence after more than two years of increased gun sales, increased calls to suicide and domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in city gun violence; and

WHEREAS, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on June 3, 2022, to recognize the 25th 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 Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence and the loved ones of those victims; and

WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 3, 2022 Americans will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors; and

WHEREAS, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our children safe; and

WHEREAS, we encourage all citizens to support their communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim June 3, 2022, as

NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY IN NEVADA