[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1541]]
     THE DAILY 45: YOUNG PERCY ROUNDS SHOT TO DEATH IN WEST PULLMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2008

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, 
everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. 
Chicago is but one of several American cities that are struggling 
through an escalating wave of gun-related violence this summer.
   On Monday, in the West Pullman neighborhood of Chicago's Far 
Southside, 15-year-old Percy Rounds, a promising young man, lost his 
life to an unknown assailant. Like a bad scene from an all-too-familiar 
movie, Rounds was shot to death by a gunman who sprang out of a 
gangway. Sadly, for several days prior to Rounds' murder, local 
residents said they'd heard a steady stream of gunfire throughout their 
neighborhood. Think about that. A steady stream of gunfire in a 
residential community.
   I extend my heartfelt condolences to Percy Rounds' family and 
friends. His grieving aunt described her nephew this way, ``He was a 
good kid. He gave himself to the Lord. He's been going to church 
faithfully every Sunday. He wasn't in a gang.'' His aunt, a nurse, had 
the presence of mind to share these sentiments after trying valiantly 
to stop the bleeding from a fatal wound to her nephew's head.
   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!''

                          ____________________