WHEREAS, The state of Washington recognizes the severe impact that violent crime, namely homicide, has on a family, friends, and the community; and
     WHEREAS, A homicide impacts the financial stability of a family due to the loss of income where the victim was the family wage earner, and that of the employer that has lost a valued employee; and
     WHEREAS, A homicide financially impacts family members, friends, and coworkers due to lost hourly wages, travel expenses, and other related expenses regarding the funeral and court hearings; and
     WHEREAS, A homicide may financially and physically impact the family and/or close friends due to stress-related illness and counseling sessions; and
     WHEREAS, The state of Washington is financially impacted with the cost of providing crime victim's compensation to the covictim or covictims if approved, the housing cost for the defendant at the averaged rate of 25,000 dollars per year, and insurmountable court costs especially through the appeal process; and
     WHEREAS, Nationally there are more than 25,000 homicides committed every year, and in 2006, Washington state had a reported 81,936 violent crimes, with a total 240 nontraffic related homicides; and
     WHEREAS, The citizens of Washington state will have a better understanding to consider the emotional and financial toll that these murders inflict on the victims' relatives, and also consider joining efforts to reduce violent crime and the number of murders in our state, as well as supporting those already impacted by this violent act; and
     WHEREAS, To protect the citizens of Washington state, support efforts at all levels of government should be put in place to help educate people on the impact that violent crime, namely homicide, has on the community, and to put in place any feasible resources available;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate encourage citizens to recognize the impact that violent crimes have on our society, especially the tremendous heartbreak and loss that murders cause for victims' families, friends, and coworkers.