[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE DAILY 45: VICTIMS' FAMILIES IN MIAMI SUPPORT EACH OTHER

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, 
everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. 
Those victims have families who struggle each and every day to survive 
the violence and its emotional toll.
   I was struck by news accounts, last weekend, of how grieving 
families in Miami, Florida are standing together to find the strength 
to live their lives. Arleen White, grieving mother to her slain, 15-
year-old son Anthony, stared down her son's teenaged murderer in a 
local courtroom last week. The juvenile was about to be released for 
time served, because of his age, for taking her son's life with a gun 
in the midst of a home invasion. Said White, ``I'm full of tears, but I 
give God thanks for this day because when this is all over, I ain't got 
to worry about nobody gunning down my boy in the street because you 
already did that.''
   White's son was killed in 2003 when 47 African Americans were the 
victims of homicide in Miami. To date, 50 black youth have been killed, 
in this community, most with the use of firearms.
   Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless 
death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will we say ``Enough is enough, stop 
the killing!''

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