[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 26, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2219-H2220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              GUN VIOLENCE

  (Mr. MORELLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
vote ``yes'' on an historic piece of legislation that will make its way 
to the floor tomorrow, H.R. 8, which will require background checks on 
all gun sales in the United States.
  In 2017, almost 40,000 Americans died from gun violence--the highest 
total on record since the Centers for Disease Control began tracking 
the statistics 50 years ago. This is an epidemic that for far too long 
has gone unaddressed at the Federal level. But that stops now.
  Thoughts and prayers cannot stop the never-ending string of gun 
violence that terrorizes communities across the Nation, but commonsense 
legislation can. That is why I am so proud to cosponsor H.R. 8, which 
marks a significant step forward in our efforts to keep guns out of the 
wrong hands.

[[Page H2220]]

  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation tomorrow 
and to continue our work to ensure safer neighborhoods across America.

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