Val Demings: “Real life is quite different from television or political buffoonery. Half of gun murders in the United States go…”

“Real life is quite different from television or political buffoonery. Half of gun murders in the United States go unsolved. Victims are too often left with no justice and their families with little support. Who amongst us believes that murderers or violent criminals should not be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law? I pray, Mr. Speaker, that no one in this Chamber really believes that. But, today, we will witness with our own eyes who actually wants to fund the police. I learned a long time ago, don't just listen to what they say but watch what they do. As a former law enforcement officer, I vividly recall being on the scene of young people dead as a result of violence, knowing that their families would soon receive devastating news. We all know that there will be more families who receive those calls. I want to make sure that there are experts, trained and ready, who can help them through those horrible moments. Mr. Speaker, I saw as a detective, a detective sergeant, and a chief of police that violent crimes require a coordinated and professional response to ensure a word that we really need to get familiar with in this Chamber, and that word is ``justice.'' We know that far too many police departments just do not have the resources they need to solve these heinous crimes. That is why I introduced the VICTIM Act.…”