Title
Calling on the United States Congress to pass the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act, sponsored by Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Dwight Evans, and to ensure that victims and co-victims of gun violence have access to the resources and support necessary to recover from the impacts of gun violence.
Body
WHEREAS, The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act is a bill proposed by Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Dwight Evans that would establish a federal advisory council to help victims of gun violence, including gun violence survivors and the families, classmates and coworkers of individuals affected by gun violence, learn about and access the resources, programs and benefits that could help them meet a wide range of personal needs; and
WHEREAS, The advisory council proposed under the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act will be composed of representatives from across a range of federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration, as well as victims of gun violence and victim assistance professionals. The council would be responsible for assessing the needs of gun violence victims and for disseminating information related to resources, programs, and benefits that could assist victims of gun violence. The council would also be responsible for reporting on existing resources for victims of gun violence and identifying additional resources that are necessary to better meet the needs of these individuals; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), under the leadership of its chair, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, announced the creation of a Resources for Victims of Gun Violence initiative modeled after the federal proposal sponsored by Senator Casey and Congressman Evans. PCCD's Victims' Services Advisory Committee will le...
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