[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 19, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H4777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Foster) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gun Violence 
Awareness Month and call upon the Senate to protect the lives of 
innocent Americans by passing commonsense gun reform measures that have 
already passed the House.
  This past February, in my district in Aurora, Illinois, five innocent 
people were killed and six police officers injured when a person who 
shouldn't legally have had a gun opened fire in a workplace, trying to 
kill as many people as he could. And earlier this month, we witnessed 
another horrific shooting in Virginia Beach where 12 more innocent 
lives were taken.
  These tragedies have become too common in America. The victims are 
our family members, our friends, and our neighbors.
  The House has already passed legislation that would, in fact, cure a 
fraction of this epidemic of gun violence, but the Senate refuses to 
act.
  Commonsense gun reform is supported by an overwhelming majority of 
Americans, and Congress has a responsibility to protect innocent lives. 
Every American deserves the right to live their lives free from the 
fear of violence and without worry that their next trip to work, to 
school, or their place of worship may be their last.
  Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We cannot wait for the next 
tragedy. The Senate must act now.

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