[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 161 (Friday, October 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING STEVE KERR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Steve Kerr in recognition of his contributions to gun violence 
prevention.
  Mr. Kerr was born in Lebanon in 1965. His father Malcolm served as 
President of the American University of Beirut but was shot and killed 
by a militia known as Islamic Jihad in 1984. At only 18 years old, this 
event had a profound effect on Mr. Kerr and inspired his activism.
  For over 30 years, Mr. Kerr has led an historic career in 
professional basketball, both as a player and a coach. In 1986, while 
attending the University of Arizona, Mr. Kerr competed in the FIBA 
World Championship and was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1988. Over 
the next 15 years, he played on seven teams and won five NBA titles. 
Mr. Kerr retired as a player in 2003 but returned to the NBA in 2014 as 
head coach of the Golden State Warriors. Since then, he has led the 
team to six NBA Finals and four championships--the most successful run 
in franchise history.
  As someone well aware of the impact gun violence can have on 
families, Mr. Kerr has been especially involved in gun violence 
prevention. In the wake of mass shootings, including those in Parkland, 
Boulder, and Atlanta, Mr. Kerr used his platform as a leading figure in 
American sports to call for congressional action. During an NBA press 
conference in May 2022, Mr. Kerr once again spoke out to address the 
shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. He referred to gun 
violence as ``a public health issue'' in desperate need of both 
recognition and treatment. He has supported charities and organizations 
focused on passing legislation to reduce gun violence such as the 
Giffords Law Center, Brady, and Sandy Hook Promise. Mr. Kerr has been 
an important part of Rock the Ride, a benefit bike ride and walk to 
help end gun violence. He has also dedicated much of his time to the 
East Bay chapter of Live Free, a national racial justice network that 
has worked to reduce gun violence in Oakland.
  Mr. Kerr is a proud father of three children, Nick, Maddy and 
Matthew, and a devoted husband to his wife, Margot.
  Madam Speaker, we thank Mr. Kerr for his unwavering dedication to the 
fight against gun violence. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we 
honor him here today.

                          ____________________