On the recordSeptember 21, 2016
Our Nation is witness to a silent mass killing every day this year. This year, more than 250,000 Americans have lost their lives so far, but the public never knew it. It has never been on the front page of The New York Times or The Washington Post, and it is not discussed on CNN or FOX. Tomorrow, this mass killing will continue. And every day we allow it, over 900 more will die. With 100 days left this year, nearly 100,000 American lives are on the line unless we take immediate action. As we sit and watch this tragedy from our comfortable offices, I wonder if my colleagues have statements prepared for the thousands of parents and siblings and friends who lost or will lose a loved one in this mass killing back home. I wonder how we will look families in the eye when we leave Washington and say, there wasn't enough time, we wanted to go home, and yet those who died will never go home. Mr. Speaker, there is time if we act today. I ask the Senate to stop the tragedy and please call up and pass H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, because where there is help, there is hope. ____________________
