[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR MURDER VICTIMS

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2018

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, homicide is the leading 
cause of death among youth, especially among people of color between 
the ages of 13 to 34. The Center for American Progress reported 17 
young people are murdered every day in America. Imagine if 17 of our 
nation's best doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, poets, and 
politicians lay waste everyday due to gun violence. According to the 
Brennan Center for Justice, the murder rate has declined by 3.4 percent 
from 30 of the largest cities in America. The murder rate in Chicago 
also declined by 12.3 percent in 2017, but remains more than 60 percent 
above 2014 levels. Some cities saw their murder rates rise in 2017, 
such as Baltimore (7.8 percent) and Philadelphia (13.1 percent). This 
is the daily reality of America, particularly for urban cities like 
Chicago and Philadelphia. This issue should outrage us all.
  Mothers In Charge, Inc. (MIC) is one organization that is here today 
in our nation's Capitol to inform Members of Congress of the impact of 
gun violence. MIC is comprised of impassioned mothers, grandmothers, 
aunts, sisters, and others who are committed to working towards saving 
lives and preventing another parent or guardian from having to 
experience their terrible tragedy. They advocate for families affected 
by violence and provide counseling and grief support services for 
families when a loved one has been murdered. One of the advocates is 
Mrs. Johnson-Speight, who is spearheading a movement to make the nation 
aware of homicide among young people. She works with juvenile 
offenders--some of whom are incarcerated for murder--using a cognitive 
skills development model titled, ``Thinking For A Change''. This 
program addresses the development of pro-social and proper decision 
making skills, violence prevention, and preparation for re-entry back 
into their communities.
  I commend all of the organizations and institutions working hard to 
bring attention to homicide, and their efforts to eliminate the threat 
of gun violence. In honor of the many precious lives lost as a result 
of gun violence, Congress, in 2007, designated September 25th as the 
National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. On this day, every 
year, we are reminded of the lives lost, and the need to continue the 
fight against violence so their deaths are not in vain.

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