[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       AMERICA HAS A GUN PROBLEM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Kelly) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because America has 
a gun problem.
  Every week my constituents wake up to news of another shooting, 
another life cut short, another family torn apart.
  Doing nothing about this crisis is not an option.
  Year after year, the United States leads the developed world in gun 
deaths but lags far behind in meaningful policy solutions.
  When I first came to Washington, I published the 2014 Kelly Report on 
Gun Violence in America. This first-of-its-kind report framed gun 
violence as a public health crisis and offered solutions that truly 
matched the scale of the epidemic.
  Unfortunately, 10 years later, gun violence still claims tens of 
thousands of lives every year.
  Since 2014, guns have become the number one cause of death for 
children and teens. Gun violence is killing a generation and robbing 
communities of future leaders, teachers, doctors, artists, and more.
  Mr. Speaker, 10 years later, I am, once again, bringing together 
survivors, advocates, experts, and my fellow Members of Congress to 
say: Enough is enough.

  I produced the 2024 Kelly Report to chart a path for the work yet to 
be done.
  My wish is that this would be the last Kelly Report on gun violence I 
need to write. My wish is that our country will see a future where 
children can safely walk to the park, a high school student can safely 
pick up her friends, and a father can safely play basketball with his 
son in their driveway.
  Americans should not have to live in constant fear of becoming 
another deadly statistic. Thoughts and prayers are not substitutes for 
policy and action.
  I hope that this report not only sheds light on the public health 
crisis that is gun violence in America, but also provides a meaningful 
roadmap to create change and save lives.


                      Recognizing Meagan Thompson

  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I also take this time to 
acknowledge Meagan Thompson.
  Meagan has served in my office as senior health policy adviser and 
has done a remarkable job advancing health equity, access to care, and 
innovative treatment options during her time in this role.
  Her contributions to my office have gone beyond policy expertise. 
Meagan's joy and enthusiasm brings light to our whole office. While we 
will miss Meagan in the office, I have no doubt that she will continue 
to excel in her next endeavor. I know that Meagan's work will continue 
to make a difference for years to come.
  Last but not least, please fund Ukraine.

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