HR 9

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/07/2022 10:11am

A House resolution
expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in memorializing those impacted
by and lost to the COVID-19 virus.

WHEREAS, the first Monday in March would be an appropriate day to be recognized as
COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus, is a deadly illness caused by
a virus that can transmit from person to person; and

WHEREAS, in 2020, COVID-19 began to spread throughout the world, creating a global
pandemic that has had a catastrophic impact on human life, our communities, and our economy;
and

WHEREAS, in March 2020, communities in every state began to experience increased loss
of life, and families lost fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and neighbors from the
virus; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 2020, many across the United States were and continue to be
personally impacted by COVID-19, including mourning their loved ones and neighbors or suffering
from the unknown long-term health implications of the virus; and

WHEREAS, by February 2022, there were more than 76,700,000 known cases of the virus
in the United States, and more than 900,000 people tragically lost their lives; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on low-income communities and
communities of color, with higher rates of infection and death, exacerbating inequities already
prevalent in our systems that we must address as a nation; and

WHEREAS, public servants, frontline and essential workers, and health care professionals
took selfless actions to protect their neighbors and communities, support struggling local economies,
and find innovative ways to provide services; and

WHEREAS, local, state, Tribal, and federal government entities provided critical support to
businesses, communities, and Americans in need; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on the United States and
countries around the world; and

WHEREAS, each life lost to COVID-19, each inequity and broken system brought to light,
and each sacrifice made shall never be forgotten; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota that it
memorializes those lost to the COVID-19 virus, recognizes the suffering of those who contracted
the COVID-19 virus and survived but still carry the unknown health side effects, and expresses
support for designating COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.