; Whereas studies show that nearly 80 percent of juvenile lifers reported witnessing violence in their homes and more than half (54.1 percent) witnessed weekly violence in their neighborhoods; Whereas, in addition, 50 percent of all children sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole have been physically abused and 20 percent have been sexually abused as a child; Whereas Black children are 10 times more likely to receive a life without the possibility of release or parole sentence; Whereas 18 States, including Texas, Nevada, Wyoming, Kentucky, Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii, Delaware, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, West Virginia, Utah, South Dakota, Iowa, and Arkansas, and the District of Columbia, have all eliminated life without the possibility of release or parole sentences for all children under 18 years of age in the last several years; Whereas 3 other States including California, Florida, and Washington have eliminated life without the possibility of release or parole for most children under 18 years of age in the last several years; Whereas the American Bar Association passed Resolution 107C earlier this year calling on the Federal Government and all State governments to retroactively abolish life without parole sentences for children; Whereas the United Methodist Church and the Roman Catholic Church have called for an end to life without the possibility of release or parole sentences for children; Whereas, 12 years ago, the Supreme Court in Roper v. Simmons struck down the death penalty for children under 18 years of age; Whereas, 7 years ago, the Supreme Court in Graham v. Florida struck down the use of life without the possibility of release or parole sentences for non-homicide crimes committed by children under 18 years of age