Sunday, October 5, 2008

GOV. RITTER PROCLAIMS OCTOBER 'DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH'


 
Gov. Bill Ritter announced today he has proclaimed October as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in Colorado. The Governor's proclamation will be read at a Monday morning rally and news conference on the West Steps of the State Capitol.
 
The rally, sponsored by the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, begins at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, 2008.
 
"Each October, we pause as a community to remember those who were killed, injured or victimized by domestic violence," said Gov. Ritter, who as a former District Attorney made prosecuting domestic-violence offenders and caring for victims a top priority.
 
"In 2007, 49 people died in Colorado in domestic-violence-related incidents," Gov. Ritter said. "We must never forget them, and this month we must recommit ourselves to continuing this fight and constantly keeping the fight at the forefront of the public's awareness."
 
Here is the text of Gov. Ritter's Colorado proclamation:
 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
October 2008
 
WHEREAS, domestic violence causes needless physical and emotional injury to Coloradans; and

 

WHEREAS, domestic violence is not confined to any specific group of people, but affects individuals of all races, economic levels, educational backgrounds, family structures, religions, and ages; and
 
WHEREAS, the crime of domestic violence violates an individual's dignity, security, and humanity, and can come in the form of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse; and
 
WHEREAS, professionals, volunteers, and community members concerned with domestic violence prevention will devote the month of October to public education programs on the causes, interventions, and prevention of this tragic epidemic, which is of great concern to Colorado's public health;
 
Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim October 2008, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH in the State of Colorado.
 
GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado,
 
 
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor