WHEREAS, the tragic shooting deaths on December 20 of New York City police officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos has thrown a pall over our city; and

WHEREAS, in addition the two officers’ service on the police force, Officer Ramos previously served as a school safety agent at the Rocco Laurie School on Staten Island where he was adored by students and the school community; and

WHEREAS, UFT members in schools across the city are now working to help students and school communities as they struggle to make sense of this senseless act; and

WHEREAS, part of our role as UFT members, educators and community leaders is to help our students and fellow community members deal with horrible tragedy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT offers our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Officers Liu and Ramos; and be it further

RESOLVED, that our union pledges to continue as always to work for peace in our communities and respect for all.

At the Jan. 14 Delegate Assembly, this resolution was amended to include the following:

RESOLVED, that the UFT will make a contribution to the Silver Shield Foundation in the name of the officers andencourage our members to make contributions to the fund as well.