[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 42 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING GLORIA CRUZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2014

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the contributions and 
efforts of Ms. Gloria Cruz, a resident of the Bronx and an advocate for 
reducing gun violence by enacting sensible gun safety laws. Since 2005, 
she has served as the Bronx President of the Million Mom March, and she 
has been tireless in her advocacy for the children, and all residents, 
of the Bronx. After 9 years of incredible effort, she will be stepping 
back from her volunteer duties.
  Ms. Cruz's forceful advocacy over the years has been in honor of her 
niece, who sadly, was a victim of gun violence. Naiesha Pearson was 
killed in the Bronx at the age of 10 by a stray bullet--her life cut 
short in an instant by a senseless act of violence. This tragedy 
shocked everyone in our community, but for Gloria, it was a call to 
action.
  Since that time, she has been a leading voice in our borough and 
state for stronger gun laws. Ms. Cruz established Bronx chapter for New 
Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and organized an annual Bronx Million Mom 
March. She has tirelessly worked to get illegal guns off our streets, 
to increase background checks, and to create safe neighborhoods for our 
children. She has comforted the families of other victims of gun 
violence, and stood by law enforcement in their efforts to reduce gun 
crimes. The breadth and depth of her advocacy work has been truly 
amazing.
  Last year, I had the honor to invite Ms. Cruz as my guest to the 
President's State of the Union address. During the speech, the 
President eloquently and passionately outlined the need for common 
sense improvements to our nation's gun control laws. For many years, 
Gloria Cruz has brought that same message to both the Bronx and to New 
York City.
  Mr. Speaker, through her work, Ms. Cruz has been an inspiration and 
mentor to many, and a comfort to those who have lost loved ones as a 
result of gun violence. She has truly honored Naiesha's memory in all 
of her work. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Gloria Cruz 
for all that she has done to help make the Bronx a safer place for our 
children.

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