[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 115 (Friday, July 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I stand in solidarity with my 
colleagues to demand commonsense legislation to address the epidemic of 
gun violence in America.
   Last week, I spoke on the House Floor in memory of Coral Wilson, a 
mother of 8 who was shot and killed on May 11, 2016 in Birmingham, 
Alabama by a domestic abuser. The shooter broke into the home of Ms. 
Wilson, and used a gun to murder her and shoot four of her children.
   Ms. Wilson was the 7th domestic gun violence homicide victim and the 
41st gun violence homicide victim in Birmingham this year--Mr. Speaker, 
these deaths were never acknowledged by a moment of silence on the 
House Floor.
   Congress has repeatedly failed to pass commonsense gun safety 
measures that would protect our communities. Too much blood has been 
shed and we need action. We need stronger laws that prevent gun 
violence and we need it now.
   Make no mistake--strengthening background checks, eliminating gun 
show loopholes, and preventing potential terrorists and criminals from 
acquiring assault weapons will not limit the rights of lawful gun 
owners to protect and defend themselves.
   Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while sitting in a Birmingham, Alabama 
jail, wrote, ``injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'' 
Mr. Speaker, enough is enough--the injustice of gun violence affects 
each and every one of our communities. Now is the time to take action 
to unite as one great nation and work together to secure justice for 
all Americans. Injustice anywhere--Orlando, Baton Rouge, Falcon 
Heights, Dallas, Birmingham--is a threat to justice everywhere.