SR0652 LRB096 21282 GRL 37216 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Ryan Harris was 11 years old when she went for a
3 bike ride in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago; she had
4 just finished her household chores; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Ryan was taken to a nearby public lot, where she
6 was brutally beaten and assaulted by a known sexual predator on
7 July 28, 1998; her lifeless body was found after a community
8 search; her killer was eventually convicted and received a life
9 sentence; and
 
10     WHEREAS, To raise awareness for children's safety, Ryan's
11 mother, Sabrina Harris, holds an annual picnic for children in
12 that park, which has since been cleaned up and named for her
13 daughter; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Homicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among
15 10-24 year olds in Illinois; violence is the leading cause of
16 non-fatal injury among youth; and
 
17     WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has the highest youth
18 violence and homicide rate in the Midwest and the 4th highest
19 in the United States; it is of crucial importance to raise
20 awareness of this issue; and
 

 

 

SR0652 - 2 - LRB096 21282 GRL 37216 r

1     WHEREAS, The physical, mental, and emotional effects of
2 physical assault on children and the members of the community
3 in which they live can be incredibly damaging; therefore, be it
 
4     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
5 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate July 26 -
6 August 1, 2010 as "Ryan Harris: Hope for Children Week" in the
7 State of Illinois to raise awareness of the need for youth
8 violence prevention; and be it further
 
9     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10 presented to Sabrina Harris as a symbol of our support and
11 respect for her.