# What This Bill Actually Does

This is a symbolic resolution that designates one month—from November 20 through December 20, 2023—as "National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month." It's not a law that creates new programs or changes existing rules. Instead, it's Congress officially recognizing the people left behind when someone is killed by homicide and asking the country to pay attention to their struggles.

The resolution is built on some sobering facts: roughly 13,000 homicides happen in the United States each year, and for every person killed, about 10 family members and close friends are left grieving and traumatized. The bill points out that Black and Latino adults are disproportionately affected—nearly one in four report losing someone to gun violence. It also highlights that homicide is the leading cause of death for Black teenagers and the second leading cause for all teenagers. The resolution acknowledges that these survivors often face lasting physical and mental health problems, and that many don't get the support they need to heal.

What the bill actually asks for is awareness and action. It calls on the government, organizations, and everyday people to recognize survivors' needs, support efforts to help them access mental health services, and fund research into how communities can better respond to homicide. It also encourages people to observe the designated month by raising awareness and taking steps to prevent gun violence. Since this is a resolution rather than a law, it doesn't directly fund programs or mandate services—it's essentially Congress saying "this matters, and we should do better for these families."

Expressing support for the designation of November 20, 2023, through December 20, 2023, as "National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month".

<p>This resolution expresses support for the designation of&nbsp;National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month.</p>