Sheila Jackson Lee: “Let me thank the distinguished gentleman from the great State of Maryland, Congressman Ivey, and the distinguished…”

“Let me thank the distinguished gentleman from the great State of Maryland, Congressman Ivey, and the distinguished gentlewoman from the great State of California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove), for leading such an important Special Order. Let me also thank Chairman Horsford for immediately capturing the pain and sentiment of the American people. When I say that, I am speaking of all the American people, Mr. Speaker, because I believe more than any part of our constitutional rights, the right to be free and safe in this Nation is one that Americans crave. For no matter whether they are in the beauty of Utah, in the richness of Mississippi, in the smart and urban life of New York, or in the beauty of the West Coast, Republican or Democrat, Independent and any other affiliation, we are concerned about safety. The reason is because safety involves the coming and going of our family members and our children. For any of us who have ever been parents, we have always had a little trepidation when that little one leaves home for the first time to go to pre-K or kindergarten that they would be safe. We are appalled at the unsafe conditions that we face in our schools today: Uvalde, Sandy Hook, Santa Fe, and beyond. We know that violence permeated those safe spaces. At the same time I think, as I thank the Congressional Black Caucus for its recognition, that as it speaks here on the floor today it is embracing an American issue: public safety.…”