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.