Mike Quigley: “It has been 5 years since 20 children were senselessly murdered in the Sandy Hook massacre. And while we will never…”

“It has been 5 years since 20 children were senselessly murdered in the Sandy Hook massacre. And while we will never forget the young lives we lost that day, we must also remember that this tragic, life-altering and life-robbing epidemic continues to impact thousands of other families across the country. Two weeks ago, I had the honor of meeting the parents of Alexandria Burgos. On October 19, 2014, Alexandria was picking up her brother from a friend's house when her life was cut short by a stray bullet shot through an apartment window. She was 18 years old. She worked with kids at the local YMCA and hoped to be a social worker after graduating from college. Like her parents, I am telling her story to push the conversation forward, the conversation that includes thoughts and prayers, but also must lead to action. Alexandria's story and the pain felt by her loved ones is something that far too many have had to endure in this country. Let 2018 be the year that we do more than reflect on the lives we have lost and finally step up to find the courage to confront gun violence. ____________________”