On the recordDecember 19, 2012
Madam Speaker, we have experiences in our personal and collective lives that challenge us profoundly, forcing us to search our souls and to change our behavior. Our Nation experienced such a moment on Friday as 20 children were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School, along with six teachers and administrators who were attempting to protect them. As we mourn and reach out to the families of Newtown, we owe the victims and each other serious consideration of how to prevent more Newtowns and Auroras and Oak Creeks and Tucsons. We must shore up mental health outreach and support, especially for troubled young people. And politically difficult as it may be, we must deal with the instruments of destruction, keeping deadly weapons out of the hands of violent and deranged people and removing weapons of mass killing from our streets. The horror of Sandy Hook must overcome any temptation to accept the unacceptable or to avoid responsibility for addressing the crying need for change. ____________________
