Policy Resolution LJE-16-02

WHEREAS, we have seen violence and violent crimes tear apart our communities across the country;

WHEREAS, violent crime not only bears an emotional cost but a physical cost;

WHEREAS, violent crime costs Americans nearly $200 billion per year, including $46 billion in direct costs and nearly $156 billion in indirect costs according to the Center for American Progress;

WHEREAS, children exposed to violence and crime experience lasting physical, mental, and emotional harm;

WHEREAS, an understanding of the root causes of violence and violent crime will help us find ways to prevent such acts from occurring; and

WHEREAS, it will require the input of numerous and varied stakeholders including but not limited to educators, law enforcement officers, psychiatrists, psychologists, prosecutors, religious leaders, neighborhood leaders, economists, criminologists, and parents.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) study the cause of violence and violent crime across the country and develop solutions in order to reduce said violence in our communities; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

SPONSOR: Senator Lonnie Randolph (IN)
Committee of Jurisdiction: Law, Justice, and Ethics Policy Committee
Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Senator Arthenia Joyner (FL) and Representative Reginald Meeks (KY)
Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President