[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              GUN VIOLENCE

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                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, one year ago another special 
life was taken by gun violence in this country. Kayla Rollins was 
killed in her first grade classroom by a six year old boy who brought a 
loaded gun to school. The time has come and gone to end these senseless 
acts of gun violence by passing meaningful gun safety legislation. The 
political pandering over this issue must end. How many children should 
we allow to become victims to gun violence? It's time for Congress to 
do the responsible thing and pass commonsense gun safety legislation. 
Kayla Rollins' family, as well as all families who lost a loved one to 
gun violence, deserve action.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record a statement from Kayla Rollins's 
mother pleading for the Congress to pass immediate gun safety 
legislation.

                Statement By Mrs. Rollins--March 1, 2001

       Hello. I am Veronica McQueen. I am Kayla's mother. These 
     are hard times for me and Kayla's brothers, sisters and her 
     father, and for the rest of my family. Kayla's death was 
     devastating. There is not a day that goes by I do not cry as 
     I go on with my life without my daughter. A part of my heart 
     went with her. It is so hard for me to think that I will 
     never see her smile, laugh or play again. I can never hold 
     her and kiss her again, or see her grow up, get married and 
     have a happy life. The gun that killed my daughter in her 
     first grade class room was a gun that could be loaded by a 
     six year old child, concealed by a six year old child, and 
     held and fired by a six year old child. Please, don't ever 
     forget that. This is proof that there is need for gun safety 
     devices and gun control. I come here today, two days after 
     what would have been her seventh birthday. I am a mom with a 
     terrible tragedy, and I hope it never, ever happens again. 
     Thank you.

     

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