12-R271

2012 -- H 8129

Enacted 05/08/12

 

 

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF MAY 6-12, 2012, AS "ARSON AWARENESS WEEK" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Guthrie, Menard, Johnston, and O`Neill

     Date Introduced: May 08, 2012

 

     

 

     WHEREAS, The theme for “Arson Awareness Week” in 2012 is Prevent Youth

Firesetting. This week provides an opportunity to spur national recognition, awareness, and

understanding of the Youth Firesetting problem in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Between 2005 and 2009, children playing with matches resulted in an

average of 56,300 fires, 110 civilian deaths, 880 civilian injuries, and $286 million in direct

property damage per year; and

     WHEREAS, In 2010, forty percent of arson arrests were juveniles, with 47.6 percent of

those arrests involving children under 16 years of age; and

     WHEREAS, Parents should teach young children that fire is a tool, not a toy, keep

matches and lighters out of reach, and set a good example by safely using matches, lighters, and

fire; and

     WHEREAS, The week of May 6-12, 2012, will focus public attention on the importance

of the collaborative efforts of fire and emergency service departments, law enforcement, mental

health, social services, schools, and juvenile justice to help reduce the occurrence of juveniles

engaged with fire; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the week of May 6-12, 2012, to be “Arson Awareness

Week” in the state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House requests that the citizens of the State of Rhode Island pay

special tribute to all fire and law enforcement investigative agencies for their dedicated and

tireless service; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to John Chartier, the Rhode Island State Fire

Marshall.

     

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LC02451

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