[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 14, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H4346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MOURNING CHILD VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today is Flag Day, and I rise 
to salute the flag, for the flag symbolizes freedom. But it should also 
symbolize safety.
  This evening I will mourn the thousands upon thousands of children 
who die every day at the hand of gun violence. It is time that we 
recognize as Americans that we can pass real gun safety legislation in 
this House and in the Senate, if it would adhere to the values of this 
Nation.
  How tragic it is in my own community, Sunday, June 11, that a 14-
year-old girl shot and killed a 16-year-old boy; to find out that a 3-
year-old accidently shot himself in the foot with his father's gun, 
found in a linen closet; that on June 8, a 12-year-old middle school 
student in Chesapeake, Virginia, was charged after he brought a gun to 
school; that a 13-year-old shot a teacher; that a 6-year-old-shot 
another 6-year-old; and that the overall rate of firearm deaths for 
children younger than 15 years of age is 12 times greater than the 
other 25 industrialized nations.
  How much longer will we mourn? It is time now to stand up for our 
children and pass real gun safety legislation.

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