1.1 	A House resolution
1.2 	expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in memorializing those impacted 
1.3 	by and lost to the COVID-19 virus.
1.4 	WHEREAS, the first Monday in March would be an appropriate day to be recognized as 
1.5 	COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day; and
1.6 	WHEREAS, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus, is a deadly illness caused by 
1.7 	a virus that can transmit from person to person; and
1.8 	WHEREAS, in 2020, COVID-19 began to spread throughout the world, creating a global 
1.9 	pandemic that has had a catastrophic impact on human life, our communities, and our economy; 
1.10 	and
1.11 	WHEREAS, in March 2020, communities in every state began to experience increased loss 
1.12 	of life, and families lost fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and neighbors from the 
1.13 	virus; and
1.14 	WHEREAS, beginning in 2020, many across the United States were and continue to be 
1.15 	personally impacted by COVID-19, including mourning their loved ones and neighbors or suffering 
1.16 	from the unknown long-term health implications of the virus; and
1.17 	WHEREAS, by February 2022, there were more than 76,700,000 known cases of the virus 
1.18 	in the United States, and more than 900,000 people tragically lost their lives; and
1.19 	WHEREAS, COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on low-income communities and 
1.20 	communities of color, with higher rates of infection and death, exacerbating inequities already 
1.21 	prevalent in our systems that we must address as a nation; and
1.22 	WHEREAS, public servants, frontline and essential workers, and health care professionals 
1.23 	took selfless actions to protect their neighbors and communities, support struggling local economies, 
1.24 	and find innovative ways to provide services; and
2.1 	WHEREAS, local, state, Tribal, and federal government entities provided critical support to 
2.2 	businesses, communities, and Americans in need; and
2.3 	WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on the United States and 
2.4 	countries around the world; and
2.5 	WHEREAS, each life lost to COVID-19, each inequity and broken system brought to light, 
2.6 	and each sacrifice made shall never be forgotten; NOW, THEREFORE,
2.7 	BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota that it 
2.8 	memorializes those lost to the COVID-19 virus, recognizes the suffering of those who contracted 
2.9 	the COVID-19 virus and survived but still carry the unknown health side effects, and expresses 
2.10 	support for designating COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.