1Designating the week of October 19 through 25, 2014, as "Youth
2Violence Prevention Week" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Research studies have revealed that this
4Commonwealth has more people serving prison sentences of life
5without parole for crimes committed as juveniles than any other
6jurisdiction in the world; and

7WHEREAS, The National Association of Students Against
8Violence Everywhere (SAVE) and The Guidance Group have united
9forces to become the founding partners of the National Youth
10Violence Prevention Campaign; and

11WHEREAS, The overarching goal of the National Youth Violence
12Prevention Campaign is to raise awareness and to educate
13students, teachers, school administrators, counselors, school
14resource officers, school staff, parents and the public on

1effective ways to prevent and reduce youth violence; and

2WHEREAS, The National Youth Violence Prevention Campaign
3promotes a week-long initiative consisting of activities and
4interactive workshops that strive to demonstrate the positive
5role that young people can have in making their schools and
6communities safer places to live; and

7WHEREAS, Each day of the week-long campaign focuses on a
8different violence prevention strategy, such as promoting
9respect and tolerance, managing one's anger, peacefully
10resolving conflict, supporting safety and uniting in action; and

11WHEREAS, The National Youth Violence Prevention Campaign
12galvanizes youth and their communities at large to recognize and
13take a stand against prejudice, bullying, disrespect and risky
14behaviors in order to break the systemic chain of violence;
15therefore be it

16RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
17week of October 19 through 25, 2014, as "Youth Violence
18Prevention Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

19RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all schools
20and youth organizations and programs within this Commonwealth to
21observe "Youth Violence Prevention Week" so that youths
22Statewide have the opportunity to learn methods to make their
23schools and communities safer and so that students, teachers,
24school administrators, counselors, school resource officers,
25school staff, parents and the public may learn effective ways to
26prevent or reduce youth violence; and be it further

27RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the
28sponsors and organizers of the National Youth Violence
29Prevention Campaign for conducting the initiative and preparing
30and compiling the information, materials and resources that

1schools, organizations and communities can use for the week and
2throughout the year by visiting the Internet website,
3www.nyvpw.org.