[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 8, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    AND STILL I RISE: THOSE WHO TOLERATE GUN VIOLENCE PERPETUATE IT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Green) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, and still I rise. I rise today 
with a message of grave concern, especially for those who have suffered 
in Uvalde, Texas, with reference to the slaughter that took place 
there, the mass murders.
  But I do have something that gives me some degree of hope. I have an 
open letter that was published in The Dallas Morning News that I would 
like the share. I would like to read some excerpts from the letter. It 
is styled: ``An Open Letter Supporting Senator John Cornyn and Gun 
Safety Measures.''
  It reads in part:

       We, the undersigned, are conservatives, mostly from Texas 
     and our friends from other States, outdoor and gun 
     enthusiasts. We vote for Republican Senators. We believe in 
     the Second Amendment.

  It goes on to read:

       We are especially encouraged that Senator Cornyn is 
     focusing on two vital ways to improve gun safety: red flag 
     law and expanding background checks.
       We are also hopeful that the momentum building for those 
     two changes may also spur consideration of raising the age to 
     purchase a gun to 21, which we believe is another important 
     step in curbing gun violence.

  They close with:

       There are many of us across these great United States. We 
     are organizing. Please join us.

  I thank them, the conservatives, gun enthusiasts, and those who 
support Senators. I want to thank them for this open letter because 
this issue of gun violence is one that we have to have a collective 
response to. The politicians alone will not solve this problem.
  I respect my colleagues and the political order. I happen to be one 
of them. But I know that there has to be some input from the 
influentials of the world, the chambers of commerce and the businesses 
communities.
  So I encourage the business communities to do as these 
businesspersons have done: Take a stand, a public stand. Take a stand 
for justice. Take a stand for these children. Take a stand against mass 
murders. Please take a stand. Those who tolerate this perpetuate it.

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