[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 96 (Thursday, June 26, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, earlier this week, more than 35 
dedicated cyclists with People Pedaling Peace made the 200-mile trip 
from Hampton, VA, to Washington, DC, to honor and remember victims of 
gun violence. In partnership with the Alliance for Justice, the People 
Pedaling Peace cyclists rode not only in honor of the victims of gun 
violence, but for stronger, more sensible gun safety laws in America 
and to raise awareness of violence against children in this country.
  Pedaling for Peace was started in 2001 by Sandra and Mike McSweeney 
whose daughter, Stephanie, was killed while walking out of a roller 
rink in Hampton, VA. Mr. and Mrs. McSweeny, as well as several other 
individuals affected by gun violence and violence against children made 
the journey this year. Others who made the trip include Craig Scott, 
whose sister Rachel is a Columbine survivor; Amber Hensley, a student 
at Thurston High School in Eugene, OR, who witnessed the shootings; and 
Lorraine Reed, mother of two daughters, one of whom was murdered and 
one of whom was seriously assaulted. Unfortunately, the total number of 
people like them who have lost family and friends to gun violence 
continues to grow.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 
total number of gun deaths in the United States has been dropping since 
1993, when it peaked at nearly 40,000, to around 28,000 annually 1999 
through 2001. However, guns still kill more young people in America 
than the most common diseases of our time. Thousands more children are 
injured, lose a loved one, or live in fear of gun violence.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in commending all of the cyclists 
who pedaled for peace, and join me in supporting sensible gun safety 
legislation.

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