Donald M. Payne: “Let me first begin by thanking my good friend and colleague, my chairwoman, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge from the State of…”

“Let me first begin by thanking my good friend and colleague, my chairwoman, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge from the State of Ohio, for anchoring this evening's Special Order on the culture of violence. Coming together to address gun violence and bullying in America is long overdue. There must be something extraordinary done to truly curb these atrocities from occurring in our communities. Too many innocent men, women, and children have died because of the ease of access to illegal firearms. Fifteen of the 25 worst mass shootings in our history have occurred in America in the last 50 years. Harvard Injury Control Research Center studies indicate that in homes, cities, States, and regions in the U.S. where there are guns, both men and women are at a higher risk for homicide, particularly from firearms. These statistics are tragic. We must do something, and we must do something now. On the issue of bullying, bullying is also a major concern in our Nation. Who will be able to tell what will become of the next generation if statistics continue to rise with each national report on bullying? I'm very sensitive to this issue because I have three young children at home, and I perish the thought that they would be subjected to such actions. We are losing our next generation of poets, musicians, doctors, lawyers, scientists, and athletes to senseless gun violence and aggressive bullying.…”