[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H3767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

  (Mr. HIGGINS of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, last year, in my hometown of 
Buffalo, New York, we experienced a 90 percent increase in gun 
violence; 355 people were involved in this.
  As of July of this year, 46 people have lost their lives to gun 
violence. This morning, the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force heard 
from experts in community violence interventions. These experts 
affirmed what we know; that gun violence in our country is tearing 
families and neighborhoods apart. Their testimony adds support for our 
efforts to provide $5 million in the American Rescue Plan Act funding 
to groups in Buffalo to prevent and reduce violence before it occurs.
  This funding will support trusted messengers, good messengers, 
credible messengers; a coalition of peacekeeping organizations who will 
work on our streets to stop violence before it occurs.
  Congress passed the American Rescue Plan to deliver relief to 
communities ravaged by the pandemic. Now our communities are facing a 
spike in violence that began during the pandemic.
  Madam Speaker, they need help, and they need help now.

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