# Understanding This Resolution About Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

This is a symbolic resolution expressing Congress's support for designating May 5th as a national day of awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. It's not a law that creates new programs or funding—instead, it's a statement of support that calls attention to a serious crisis affecting Native American communities.

The resolution highlights some troubling statistics: more than 84 percent of Native American women experience violence in their lifetime, and homicide rates for Indigenous women and girls are more than 10 times the national average. The document notes that approximately 1,500 Native American and Alaska Native people are listed as missing, and roughly 2,700 murder cases have been reported to federal authorities. The resolution also mentions that Native Hawaiian women make up a disproportionate share of human trafficking victims in Hawaii. These numbers underscore why advocates believe this issue deserves national recognition and attention.

The resolution calls on Americans to remember and honor the victims of these crimes and to show solidarity with their families. It also recommends that the Department of Justice commission a new study on this crisis, since the most recent comprehensive data is from 2016. While the resolution acknowledges that some progress has been made—including the creation of task forces and new laws like Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act—it emphasizes that much more work remains to be done. Essentially, this resolution is Congress saying: "We recognize this problem exists, we're drawing public attention to it, and we believe more action is needed."

Expressing support for the designation of May 5, 2023, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls".

Newhouse, Dan

 <p>This resolution expresses support for the designation of a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.</p>