[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE DAILY 45: ANOTHER VIOLENT WEEKEND IN CHICAGO

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, 
everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. 
Last weekend, while my colleagues and I worked to help restore our 
nation's financial ship of state, the state of our urban communities 
continued to be plagued with an obscene level of gun violence. The 
Chicago community I serve tops our nation's list for gun-related 
violence which tragically included the second loss of life, in just two 
months, of a Chicago police officer. Last night, 14-year veteran 
officer Nathaniel Taylor, Jr., 39, lost his life while serving a search 
warrant and he leaves behind an orphaned daughter and a grieving city.
   There were also three other gun-related murders last weekend 
including 34-year-old James Purifoy who was shot in the back. Two 
others lost their lives whose names have yet to be released. And, to 
top it off, five people were shot on the Near West Side early Saturday 
night following a dice game gone bad. Fortunately, none of their wounds 
were life threatening.
   My condolences go out to the family and friends of Officer Taylor 
and to Mr. Purifoy whose lives ended much too soon at the end of a gun.
   Americans of conscious 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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