WHEREAS, Teaching children to act safely around firearms is a critical step in the effort to reduce the number of firearm-related accidents among our nation's young people; and

WHEREAS, The Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Education Program teaches the fundamentals of firearm safety to elementary school-aged children in an effective and enjoyable way, communicating to them the lifesaving message that when they see a gun they should stop immediately, leave the area, and tell an adult; and

WHEREAS, The Eddie Eagle Elementary Gun Safety Education Program, designed for use by schools, law enforcement agencies, and youth service organizations by Friends of the National Rifle Association, makes no value judgments about whether guns are good or bad, but teaches children that guns are not toys; and

WHEREAS, The Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Education Program has been taught to more than 15 million children in 10,000 schools by more than 6,000 law enforcement agencies in every state, Canada and Puerto Rico. It is recognized by the National Safety Council, Police Athletic League, American Legion and the National School Public Relations Association; and

WHEREAS, The promotion of the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program in our schools is encouraged and the importance of continuing the positive efforts of this vital program cannot be overstated; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the week of October 21-25, 2002 as "Children's Firearm Safety Week" in the State of Rhode Island. We encourage all citizens to support the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program in promoting children's firearm safety; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to police chiefs throughout the State of Rhode Island and to the Rhode Island Department of Education.