LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Vera House upon the occasion of cele-
brating its 19th Annual White Ribbon Campaign

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those institutions within our community that help to protect
community members and educate the public on issues of importance to
everyone; and
WHEREAS, Primary among such institutions are those who, year after
year, diligently seek to empower those in need, promote a culture of
equality and respect, and assist families in crisis; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend Vera House upon the occasion of celebrating its 19th Annual
White Ribbon Campaign, recognizing its importance to our community and
the integral role this fine institution has played in the lives of so
many; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, Vera House was established in Syracuse, New York; it
was formed by Sister Mary Vera, CSJ, who, together with a group of
concerned citizens, saw a need in the community to provide an emergency
shelter and services for women in crisis; and
WHEREAS, What began in 1977 with modest services for women has greatly
expanded; and
WHEREAS, Today, the mission of Vera House is to end all domestic and
sexual violence, to assist families in crisis, to support those affected
by domestic and sexual violence to live safe, self-sufficient lives, to
empower women and children, and to promote a culture of equality and
respect in relationships; and
WHEREAS, On January 1, 2005, Vera House merged with the Syracuse Rape
Crisis Center to combine programs and staff in order to provide quality
services "together for hope and healing"; and
WHEREAS, The many services offered by Vera House include: outreach and
advocacy services, domestic violence education programming, children's
counseling services, the Syracuse Area Domestic Violence Coalition, and
a domestic violence education program for male perpetrators of violence;
and
WHEREAS, This year 2013 marks the 19th consecutive year that Vera
House has conducted its White Ribbon Campaign; and
WHEREAS, The White Ribbon Campaign traces its roots to Canada where,
on December 6, 1989, an enraged gunman roamed the corridors of
Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique for 45 minutes and killed 14 women; and
WHEREAS, The incident, which became known as the Montreal Massacre,
became a galvanizing moment in which mourning turned into outrage
towards violence against women; and
WHEREAS, The shootings raised male awareness about violence against
women, which had formerly been viewed as a "woman's issue"; and
WHEREAS, The White Ribbon Campaign began in Canada on December 6,
1990, the first anniversary of the Montreal Massacre; and
WHEREAS, The Campaign is led by concerned men who invite all members
of the community to wear a ribbon to help end domestic and sexual abuse;
and
WHEREAS, The goal of the Campaign is to raise awareness among men and
community members of violence against women, and to support organiza-
tions that deal with the consequences of men's violence against women;
and
WHEREAS, Vera House brought the White Ribbon Campaign to Syracuse from
Canada and conducted its first campaign in 1995; and

WHEREAS, From April 12 through April 21, 2013, thousands of Central
New Yorkers will wear a white ribbon or wristband, as a promise to the
community that there is no excuse for abuse; and
WHEREAS, By wearing a white ribbon during the Campaign, men acknowl-
edge the important role they must play in the effort to end violence
against women; and
WHEREAS, During the Campaign, thousands of individuals in the Syracuse
community are hard at work raising both funds and awareness to support
Vera House; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Vera House upon the occasion of celebrating its 19th Annual White
Ribbon Campaign, and to recognize its staff and volunteers as they
undertake the White Ribbon Campaign and give full endorsement to Vera
House and the effort to eliminate domestic abuse; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Randi Bregman, Executive Director, Vera House.