[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 163 (Tuesday, December 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONDEMNING THE HORRIFIC ATTACKS IN NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT, AND EXPRESSING 
       SUPPORT AND PRAYERS FOR ALL THOSE IMPACTED BY THIS TRAGEDY

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                               speech of

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2012

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 833, and 
in support of the greater Newtown community in the wake of the tragic 
Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
  Twenty seven lives have been lost and countless others have been 
affected by the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on December 15, 2012.
  Twenty first-graders were killed in their classroom.
  And teachers and school administrators died while protecting their 
students.
  As a nation, we are heartsick.
  As a mother and grandmother of eight, I cannot even begin to fathom 
what the families of Newtown are going through.
  As they have just begun the long and slow process of grieving and 
healing, our nation's hearts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with 
them.
  This horrible crime reminds us that our time here is precious and 
short.
  And it reminds us that even though we cannot prevent every single 
senseless violent act, we must come together to all we can to reduce 
the gun violence that contributed to these losses.
  For too long we have neglected to take the steps necessary to stem 
the damage and harm inflicted by gun violence.
  I pray that this horrific event will remind us that our highest 
priority is to keep our children safe--and right now we are not doing 
enough.
  There is so much more that we can do to protect our families and 
communities from gun violence.
  But there is also much more that we can and must do to strengthen our 
mental health care systems--to treat those in need, avert future 
violence, and support those whose lives have been affected by it.
  In the coming days, weeks, and months, and as time passes for the 
community of Newtown, the nation will reflect on this tragedy.
  I hope that through this soul searching we will conclude that we have 
a moral responsibility to take strong, effective action to reduce the 
harm caused by gun violence.
  We owe it to the victims and their families to take every step 
possible to prevent another horrific tragedy like this one.
  If not now, when?

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