Expressing support for the designation of November 20, 2025, through December 20, 2025, as "National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 895
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-03T19:50:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 895) expresses congressional support for designating November 20, 2025, through December 20, 2025, as "National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month." It aims to highlight the experiences of families and communities affected by homicide, particularly in the context of gun violence as a public health crisis, and to promote awareness, support, and healing for survivors.
Key Provisions
- Background Context: The resolution outlines statistics and facts, including:
- Over 22,000 homicides annually in the U.S., with a 30% increase in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- For each homicide victim, at least 10 family members are directly affected, with broader impacts on friends, neighbors, and communities.
- Disproportionate effects on Black and Latinx adults (nearly 1 in 4 report losing a loved one to gun-related homicide) and teenagers (homicide is the leading cause of death for Black teens and second overall).
- Other issues: Over half of female homicide victims are killed by intimate partners; 40% of homicides remain unsolved; and survivors face long-term physical, mental, and economic challenges.
- Support for Designation: The House supports the awareness month and related efforts to:
- Raise public awareness about survivors of homicide victims.
- Provide support services, information, and resources to families, schools, and communities.
- Encourage research on improving violence prevention, access to behavioral health services (mental health support), and increasing homicide clearance rates (the percentage of cases solved, currently around 50% in the U.S., low compared to other developed countries).
- Call to Action: Urges individuals, interest groups, and affected people to:
- Promote awareness and actively work to end gun violence and homicide.
- Respond to affected families with compassion, consistency, and principles like love, unity, faith, hope, courage, justice, and forgiveness.
- Observe the awareness month through appropriate activities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a symbolic statement of congressional intent rather than enforceable legislation.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could increase public awareness of homicide's ripple effects, encouraging community support, access to healing resources, and advocacy for better services. It may foster cultural shifts toward treating survivors with dignity and addressing trauma, particularly in communities hit hardest by gun violence.
- On Government Agencies: Indirectly prompts agencies like those in health, justice, and education to prioritize research and improve homicide investigations and victim services, though no funding or mandates are created.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the resolution focuses on domestic issues.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Survivors and Families: Primary focus, including those grieving homicide victims, especially in Black, Latinx, and teen-affected communities.
- Communities and Advocates: Neighborhoods, schools, and grassroots groups working on violence prevention, healing, and policy reform.
- Service Providers: Organizations offering behavioral health, support services, and community responses to homicide.
- Policymakers and Law Enforcement: Encouraged to improve clearance rates and equitable responses, transforming survivor experiences into policy influence.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: None, as it lacks binding authority and does not alter laws or rights.
- Constitutional: No implications, as it aligns with Congress's role in expressing support for awareness initiatives without infringing on free speech or other protections.
- Political: Highlights gun violence as a public health and equity issue, potentially influencing future debates on violence prevention, mental health funding, and criminal justice reform. It empowers survivors as policy influencers, promoting community-led peace efforts without partisan mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-11-19: Submitted in House
- 2025-11-19: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the designation of November 20, 2025, through December 20, 2025, as "National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month". — issued 2025-11-19 — PDF (4 pages)