[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 164 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1952-E1953]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart full of sorrow 
over the horrific violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, 
Connecticut, which

[[Page E1953]]

claimed the innocent lives of twenty children and six school employees. 
The loss of life and innocence at Sandy Hook is a tragedy over which 
all Americans mourn, and the thoughts and prayers of Americans 
everywhere go out to all the victims and their families.
  This tragedy represents the fourth time the Nation has been horrified 
to learn that innocent lives have been ended by gun violence in the 
past few months. I believe the time has come--indeed, the time has long 
passed--for this Nation to reevaluate the accessibility and control, in 
particular, of military assault weapons in our country.
  I therefore call upon the President and the Congress to place 
sensible gun control legislation at the top of their legislative 
agenda, beginning with the reposition of the expired assault weapons 
ban. Although such action cannot undo last week's tragedy, I believe it 
will help to prevent a similar occurrence in the future. For the sake 
of those lost in Connecticut and all Americans who mourn, we should act 
without delay.
  Words cannot express the deep grief of the families and loved ones of 
the victims, nor can they properly offer comfort. My thoughts and 
prayers are with the children, parents, teachers, staff members, and 
families affected by the violence. I ask my colleagues to join me in a 
moment of silence.

                          ____________________