On the recordDecember 1, 2016
I have spoken on this floor many times about gun violence. This summer, many of us took to the House floor and shut this Chamber down for 26 hours, demanding that Congress do something to stop gun deaths. We almost lost a colleague, Gabby Giffords, to this violence. We stand not too far from the Gabe Zimmerman Room memorializing the brave staffer who lost his life in that Tucson shooting. I often question if the loss of one of our own family members would be enough for us to act. Just 2 weeks ago, we learned that our esteemed colleague Danny Davis' grandson, Javon Wilson, was shot and killed in Chicago. He was only 15. Javon joins the list of over 700 Chicagoans killed by guns this year. To those Members that have offered their condolences to Congressman Davis, I say this: True concern and compassion requires some action. We can start with the bipartisan background check legislation. We have to start somewhere. Do something so no parent or grandparent has to feel this pain--Congressman Davis' pain--ever again. ____________________
