[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVORS WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, this week, we recognize Gun 
Violence Survivors Week across our country. In my district alone, there 
have been 331 gun-related deaths and 716 injuries, including seven mass 
shootings over the last 7 years.
  There are two sides of the coin when it comes to ending gun violence. 
Implementing commonsense gun safety measures that a vast majority of 
Americans support must be our top priority. At the same time, we have 
to begin addressing the root cause of gun violence in our communities, 
which is a revolving door phenomenon. Victims of gun violence are 
caught up in the drug wars, the culture of retaliation, and disrespect.
  In fact, the rate of violent reinjury at most of the Nation's trauma 
centers is as high as 45 percent. One of the leading risk factors for 
violent injury is prior violent injury.
  While these victims are recuperating in the hospital, they are a 
captive audience. They are confined to bed, if only for a few days. 
This offers us a window of opportunity where we can offer support when 
they most need it.

  I am in the process of finalizing bipartisan, bicameral legislation 
with my colleague Congressman Kinzinger from Illinois, and our measure 
creates a new grant program to provide the victims of gun violence, who 
often become repeat victims of predators themselves, with the resources 
they need to stop this vicious cycle. This might include bus money, 
clothes for a job interview, or some groceries. Often, victims need 
help finding an affordable apartment or getting off drugs.
  Violence intervention programs, like the ones that our bill will 
support, work. They reduce recidivism and hospital readmissions, jail 
time, and unemployment. This is why my previously introduced bill was 
endorsed by organizations such as the NAACP, the Fraternal Order of 
Police, and the American College of Surgeons.
  The University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center has been rated the 
top trauma center in the world. They support our troops in Iraq and 
Afghanistan. They do research as it relates to all sorts of trauma. 
Shock Trauma is led by Dr. Tom Scalea, with the great doctors, nurses, 
and aides who work in that great institution. They have implemented 
this program that I am talking about here today, and let me tell you, 
it works.
  I am excited to reintroduce my bill so we can work on lowering the 
rates of firearm deaths throughout the country.

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