To the Mayor, the Public Advocate, the Council Speaker, the Council, and the Police Commissioner of the City of New York:

1. WHEREAS, Lesandro Guzman–Feliz, lovingly known to his friends and family as “Junior”, was an active member of the New York City Police Department Explorers Program; and,
2. WHEREAS, New Yorkers and people of goodwill everywhere were shocked, saddened and horrified by the brutal, vicious murder of this fine young man, whose life’s dream was to become a New York City police officer and detective; and,
3. WHEREAS, Lesandro Guzman–Feliz murder was allegedly carried out by members of a violent, criminal, street gang; and,
4. WHEREAS, the pernicious influence of gangs, gang recruiters, and gang violence have increasingly threatened the well-being of our precious young people, their neighborhoods, and their way of life; and,
5. WHEREAS, it is vital for the safety, security, and success of our city and our society that young people be encouraged to develop personal character, to engage in service and support to their communities, to prepare for adult careers, to learn life skills, and to lead others in these and other pursuits, all of which are part of the NYPD Police Explorers program; and,
6. WHEREAS, the NYPD Police Explorers program in which Lesandro Guzman–Feliz participated, as well as similar youth programs, provide a means to deter the influence of violent gang recruiters; and,
7. WHEREAS, we are heartbroken by the death of NYPD Explorer Guzman–Feliz, we nevertheless rejoice that we have such fine young people in our midst, working every day - often in the most challenging of circumstances - to improve themselves, their communities, our city, and our country; and,
8. WHEREAS, in his lifetime, NYPD Explorer Lesandro Guzman–Feliz represented precisely the type of young person New Yorkers and people of goodwill everywhere should embrace, and, in that respect, is a hero to us all, and particularly to his young peers,

Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned, residents of the City of New York, as well as people of goodwill everywhere, hereby request that, if it be in keeping with the wishes of his family, Lesandro Guzman-Feliz be laid to rest with all the honors and ceremony that the New York City Police Department can avail a civilian; including, but not limited to, the honor of draping his casket with the NYPD green and white flag; a salute by a contingent of uniformed officers; a drum corps; and such other honors and respects as Commissioner O’Neill deems legal and appropriate for the circumstances.

Respectfully submitted,

THE UNDERSIGNED