; Whereas youth of color, youth with disabilities, and youth with mental health issues are disproportionately represented at all stages of the criminal justice system; Whereas it is harmful to public safety and to young people in the legal system to confine youth in adult jails or prisons where they are significantly more likely to be physically and sexually assaulted and often placed in solitary confinement; Whereas youth sentenced as adults receive an adult criminal record that hinders future education and employment opportunities; Whereas youth who receive extremely long sentences deserve an opportunity to demonstrate their potential to grow and change; and Whereas in October, people around the United States participate in Youth Justice Action Month to increase public awareness of the issues facing youth transferred to the adult criminal justice system and to provide people across the United States with an opportunity to develop action-oriented events in their communities: Now, therefore, be it