Political Quotes

“Last month, as I mentioned, Chicago suffered just as many gun shootings as the year before, and 2016 was a record-setting month itself. I have come to the floor countless times to draw attention to this epidemic. Last week, President Trump threatened to send in the Feds in response to the carnage. It was very disheartening to hear and see on the news that my colleagues made jokes at their Republican retreat last week about this. This morning, he spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast. In that vein, I remind him of the Gospel of Matthew: violence begets violence; hate begets hate. The proper response is not threat of more force, increased demonization, or further withering of police-community relations. More cops on the beat alone is not the solution. It is mentorship, job training, and increased economic development. Nothing stops a bullet like an opportunity. I keep an open invitation to President Trump to visit my district so he can learn this himself and speak to those in the trenches, and those victimized by gun violence, instead of just demonizing in 140 characters from the safety of the White House residence. Reaffirm International Alliances”