[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6675-6689]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 6675]]

                           MILLION MOM MARCH

  (Mrs. McCARTHY of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks and include 
therein extraneous material.)
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
Million Mom March and the tapestry of mothers across the Nation.
  These dedicated mothers will be arriving in Washington, D.C. and over 
60 cities to participate in the Million Mom March on Mother's Day, May 
14.
  The mothers here on the mall and around the Nation will be 
demonstrating their grassroots support for common sense gun safety 
legislation. Fathers, sons, daughters, their friends, and their 
relatives will be joining their moms. The cause of gun safety has 
united these marchers.
  I commend the March's Founder, Donna Dees-Thomases, for organizing 
this massive event. To learn more about the March, my colleagues may 
access the Web site at www.millionmom.com. This Web site contains 
``Woven Words'' stories. These are stories from the moms themselves on 
why they got involved in the March.
  Mr. Speaker, I will introduce these stories in the Congressional 
Record.
  Gun safety is not a partisan issue. I will look forward to joining 
Donna and thousands of other mothers who will be participating in the 
Million Mom March across the country.
  I urge all members to join the Million Mom March and to heed its 
message of adopting common sense gun safety legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, the ``Woven Words'' stories that I referred to are as 
follows:

              Add Your Voice to Our Tapestry--Woven Words

       ``MMM I support you in this effort. It is time we come 
     together to make changes to the gun laws. It is time to make 
     some common sense gun policies so no more children, Black or 
     White, Baptist or Jewish has to die accidentally or because 
     another child felt powerful enough to take another child's 
     life. We must hold our lawmakers accountable to changing the 
     waive of gun violence in our society. It is our right to call 
     on lawmakers to help us save our children. Johnetta, another 
     one in a million''--Johnetta, Washington, DC, AL
       ``This is long overdue . . . I have a 10 yr old daughter 
     who I want to protect. I support this cause wholeheartedly. 
     Way to go moms. . . .''--Lori C. Jefferson, Hayward, CA
       ``I am blessed to have 3 wonderful boys, all 5 and under. I 
     am scared to death to send them out into this world . . . why 
     must the youth of our nation be subjected to the violence 
     that has become so ``normal''? I WILL NOT sit by and allow 
     this to happen to our most precious resources . . . it is up 
     to US!!!!''--Tiffany, AZ
       ``We needed better gun control laws in this country. Twice 
     I've had a gun pointed at me. Once a boyfriend used my 
     father's gun to threaten me. He actually fired it. The second 
     time was during an armed robbery. Funny how the person who 
     was supposed to care about me fired the gun, but the robber 
     who I meant nothing to only waved it around. Regardless I 
     never want my daughter to have to deal with any situation 
     involving guns!''--Tracy, Palmdale, CA
       ``Thank-you to the organizers of the march and the 
     movement. Every time I read something sponsored by the march 
     I get goosebumps. This is my first Mother's Day, and I am so 
     proud that someday my 10 month old will look back and know 
     that I took a stand for something as important as sensible 
     gun control. My husband is a cop, and is ready to quit 
     because of the heart-breaking cruelty in our society. Simply, 
     like the man said, you've got to stand for something or 
     you'll fall for anything. Bless us all.''--Colleen, Karnes 
     City, TX
       ``Remind your gun-supporting family, friends and lawmakers: 
     When the Constitution was written, citizens of our new 
     country were in danger from the threat of armed British 
     soldiers at many a turn. No wonder the framers gave our 
     citizens the right to bear arms! The NRA and like-minded 
     individuals and groups have somehow (?) failed to take into 
     account that there are no longer armed soldiers, subjects of 
     a foreign power in pursuit of political and economic control, 
     threatening our citizenry. Nor are we blazing a new, untamed 
     frontier. Times have changed. With the exception of those in 
     service to our country, the people now ``bearing arms'' ARE 
     the threat. What is their point? They're ``defending'' 
     themselves? Against whom? The reality is that those who 
     irresponsibly own and/or use hand guns and assault rifles 
     (weapons of war--Why are they available to citizens?! $$$. 
     This is nuts!!) are now the aggressors and one thing these 
     aggressors control, shamefully, is the lives of our 
     defenseless citizens--particularly our children. THEY DO NOT 
     HAVE THAT RIGHT and I am steadfastly behind paring their 
     power play. Background checks, ``cooling off'' periods, 
     licenses for ALL guns, safety locks . . . Why are these 
     measures anathema? They make SENSE! It's at least 100 years 
     past time to CHANGE THE LAW! I applaud all the organizers and 
     intend to lend my support by swelling your numbers by one. 
     See you in Washington!''--LC Kelly, Durham, NC
       ``The state of America saddens me on a regular basis. 
     Whether I am watching TV, reading the paper, or surfing the 
     net, I am inevitably going to run into a story of some child 
     who was shot dead . . . today. I am 24 years old, I do not 
     have any children, and I have no immediate plans of having 
     any. Yet, every day, I hurt for these dead children and their 
     families. I hurt for a bond that I have yet to understand. 
     And then there are these people who have children, and have 
     the nerve to tell me that my beliefs defy our Constitution. A 
     Constitution which was written over 200 years ago by men who 
     could not even fathom the notion of an AK47 or a sawed-off 
     shot-gun. This is the reason why our Constitution is made up 
     of Amendments, not Commandments. And to those who have 
     children and who have the nerve to tell me that my belief 
     system is wrong, let's look at the big picture. It's not 
     right that I care about the well-being of your child more 
     than you do.''--Allison Kaplan, West Linn, OR
       ``Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the march, but 
     I would like to share the story of what happened to my 19-
     year-old daughter who was threatened by a 45-year-old man 
     with a semi-automatic handgun 2 weeks ago. He pulled his car 
     in front of hers, blocking her escape and got out of the 
     vehicle, reached in the car for his gun (we later learned it 
     was loaded) and threatened her. After our first court 
     appearance, I realized that this guy will probably walk away. 
     We not only need serious legislation, but we need to enforce 
     the laws! While we are thankful our daughter is alive, she 
     has certainly been traumatized by this incident. My heart 
     goes out to all who have lost loved ones to gun violence.''--
     Madlon Glenn and Katie Glenn--madlon glenn, Winston-Salem, NC
       ``Heartbreaking stories, heartbreaking words. Is anyone 
     listening? Are we preaching to the choir? Please, God, don't 
     make us share more heartbreak, year after bloody, tragic 
     year.''--Jeanne Genova-Goldstein, Spring Lake, NJ
       ``Guns are bad. They hurt people. A gun killed our favorite 
     singer `Selena'. We don't go in houses that have guns. Guns 
     are stupid.'' ``(Mom Astrea Fall gives permission to print 
     how her two children feel about guns).''--Chris 6 and 
     Elizabeth Fall 5, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, NJ
       ``It is past time that our voices were heard . . . past 
     time that the NRA and other lobbyists are stopped . . . past 
     time that someone stand up for the safety of our children . . 
     . past time that we show the politicians that WE are their 
     constituents and we have a voice, loud enough to be heard 
     across the land and into Congress . . . it is OUR time and 
     the time is NOW. My sister and I will be at the march, with 
     our seven-year-old daughters, marching to keep them safe.''--
     Christine Bintz, Reston, VA
       ``When will enough be enough? I was outraged to learn that 
     my 13-year-old God Daughter was afraid to go to school 
     because she heard other 13-year olds talking about how they 
     were going to ``Shoot the place up''. The child was in 
     hysterical sobs and has had to endure counseling to help with 
     her fear of GUNS. When will the powers that be realize that 
     besides the senseless and AVOIDABLE loss of precious life of 
     our loved ones, that we are also taking away the freedom that 
     our constitution promises us when a child is afraid to go to 
     school because of guns?!? I applaud the efforts of all the 
     coordinators, sponsors and participants of the Million Mom 
     March and pray with you all that Congress enacts laws that 
     will help protect us, and our precious children.''--Elaine 
     Thompson, Columbia, MD
       ``Children are the world's most valuable asset and the only 
     hope for our future. The most important thing a parent can do 
     is to protect our children from harm or death. If we don't 
     protect them, who will? They count on us for that! Let's do 
     it!!!!''--Pat Barton, Aurora, CO
       ``I feel that it is time that the Government listen to the 
     people. I have a 6-month son whom I can still protect from 
     the violence that seems to be taking over our nations 
     children. My biggest fear is what will happen when the day 
     comes for me to release my child into society. I can educate 
     my own child that guns are not toys--but what about other 
     peoples children, especially those whose parents aren't 
     educated about guns. I AM AFRAID!''--Jill Hamann, Whitmore 
     Lake, MI
       ``My child isn't even born yet, and I have to worry about 
     him or her getting hurt by a gun! I live in the country, and 
     I don't oppose hunting. But I can't understand people who 
     think trigger locks, background checks, and waiting periods 
     are unreasonable. The NRA says that law abiding citizens will 
     be hurt by these laws. I say, law abiding citizens have 
     children; law abiding citizens can have accidents! More 
     children are killed by gun accidents than by criminals. There 
     will be no

[[Page 6676]]

     guns in my house, but that's not good enough. I want sensible 
     gun laws now!''--Andrea S. Colton, OR
       ``I will be present in Denver on May 14, along with many 
     women from our Presbyterian church. The Presbyterian Church 
     (USA) has declared July 2000-July 2001 as the year of the 
     Child. What better organization to stand up for children than 
     our churches/synagogues/places of worship, who offer 
     ``sanctuary'' to our children and youth!! I encourage 
     Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, Hindu, Pagan . . . all 
     spiritual faiths, to put feet on your beliefs and join the 
     Million Mom March!''--Holly Inglis, Arvada, CO
       ``What words can we use, to say how we feel? It is time, 
     actually pass time to do something about the killings in our 
     streets, schools, churches, etc. I am a city resident, and 
     proud of it! I have raised my son and have been blessed that 
     he is alive, in college and breathing each day!! It is a sin 
     and a shame, that in this ``land of opportunity'' that so 
     many individuals are fighting so hard to get into, that our 
     children are dying violently every day. It is heartwrenching 
     to have children base their dreams on statistics--my son 
     informed me at the age of 13, that he was making no plans 
     regarding, college or his future because the statistics show 
     that he is unlikely to reach his 18th birthday. Once he 
     celebrated his 17th, he decided to apply to colleges, just in 
     case he lives that long--the tears flowed from my eyes 
     uncontrollably!! Our children should not have to live like 
     this! When will our representatives wake up! With all issues, 
     most people don't care until it hits in their own backyards--
     haven't enough backyards been riddled with gunfire!! Haven't 
     enough of our children sacrificed their lives for the ``right 
     to bear arms''?
       Will 7 children need to be injured or killed in the zoo 
     everyday for the message to become clear that change is 
     needed? Different gun laws are needed today, not tomorrow, 
     not sometime in the future, today!! And even though the guns 
     can not be fired without someones finger on the trigger, new 
     laws are a start. While we are working to change those laws, 
     we need to look within ourselves to see what 
     ``housecleaning'' we need to do regarding, bigotry, hatred, 
     oppression and make sure that we are not feeding the fires 
     that instill beliefs/values in our young so that they assume 
     violence is the answer! Amani & Baraka (peace & blessings)-
     Kipenzi-Baltimore Maryland''--Kipenzi, Baltimore, MD
       ``Accidental. Deliberate. Hunting. Protection. Legal and 
     licensed. Illegal and hidden. Safety. Crime. It is all the 
     same. The purpose of a gun is to stop a life from continuing. 
     Whether or not this happens in a premeditated, controlled 
     fashion or in a spontaneous manner with reckless abandon, the 
     consequence is the same. A beating heart stops. A brain stops 
     functioning. A soul is released from its body. Guns have a 
     power that is to be respected and REGULATED. Mothers also 
     have a power that must be acknowledged, exercised and focused 
     on the safety of our fellow beating hearts and thinking 
     brains. Thank you for giving us a place and a situation in 
     which we can make our voices heard. I am a mom who has had 
     enough of watching other mothers lose their children. I have 
     lost friends and family members because of guns. I pray that 
     we will have our eyes and hearts opened by this Million Mom 
     March.''--Jo-Jo T. Murphy, Westmont, IL
       ``It is long overdue but an incredible and worthwhile 
     effort! Please join my family and millions of others this 
     mother's day to take a stand on these issues: improper gun 
     access, mandatory safety locks, background checks and other 
     common sense laws. Guns are deadly. We have restrictions on 
     viewing movies, making safe toys and baby gear, child seats 
     and seat belts . . . why not for guns. The ``right to bear 
     arms'' does not mean the right to murder or the right to 
     children accessing guns. Lets correct the misperceptions 
     through educations and common sense gun laws and stop 
     ignoring this epidemic!''--M. Rait, Portland, OR
       ``One week ago, my children were home for spring break. A 
     neighbor had ordered a rifle and UPS tried to deliver it to 
     their home. My neighbors were not there so the UPS driver 
     brought the rifle to my home and my 13 year old signed for 
     the gun. It took several phone calls and going to the local 
     media to get a response from UPS. I never ordered this gun 
     and did not expect it to be in my home. What if my child 
     opened the package? I was told by the gun company that this 
     was not the first time UPS delivered a gun to a minor. What 
     can we do?''--Fran Wilson, Memphis, TN
       ``Power to the Mothers! We are the majority, and we know 
     what we want--sensible gun control laws. Now, many children's 
     deaths are caused by gun available in the home. Well, there's 
     nothing politicians can do about that. So, before you leave 
     for the March, as I will, make sure you scour YOUR OWN HOME 
     for weapons of any kind. Confront your husband if you have 
     to, and make very clear that you will not tolerate weapons in 
     your home, and that's not negotiable. Before we scream for 
     others to do their part, we have to do ours. Also, guns are 
     only one of the instruments of violence. We also have to 
     address the motivations that lead to these crimes: bigotry, 
     desperate poverty, peer pressure at school. These are the 
     issues, and they are completely out of hand, and demand our 
     attention and action. Let's empower ourselves, and make our 
     voices heard both in the home and out. See you at the 
     March!''--L. M., Pittsburgh, PA
       ``Please, please, please do not make this a Dems vs GOP 
     issue. There are MANY of us in the GOP who feel as strongly 
     if not more strongly about this issue. (Jim Brady worked for 
     Reagan) If you polarize this issue and make only Democrats 
     the heros of this worthwhile effort you will dilute this 
     vital effort. For the children's sake, do NOT make this 
     political!''--Alan Kiefer, Wooster, OH
       ``In January of this year, my Aunt was shot to death she 
     answered her door, by a 17 year old 9th grader. This 
     shouldn't have happened. I have a 3 year old son and I want 
     him to live in a safe environment. Life is too unstable 
     anyway, without having to worry about guns being in the wrong 
     hands. Let's get safer gun laws, NOW.''--Lori Martin, 
     Lafayette, CO
       ``You've inspired me! This march is long overdue, and I 
     must take part in it because I feel passionately about gun 
     control. Let's need a strong message to Congress and defeat 
     the NRA. Together we can do it!--Marilyn M. Wayne, PA
       ``There is a war going on this country and the government 
     is ignoring it. Big money and the NRA have stolen our safety 
     and security. It is a truly sad day when you cannot send your 
     children to school in safety. It is a sad statement on our 
     society that the right to own a gun outweighs the rights of 
     our children. I think that everyone knows of someone who has 
     been killed by a gun. If guns aren't the problem, then what 
     is? It would be very difficult for someone to walk into a zoo 
     and hurt several people without a gun. I will not be at the 
     march in body, but I will be in spirit.''--Phoebe, Omaha, NE
       ``I am a mother of a three year old son, he and all 
     children deserve a view of life without the violence that we 
     now see everyday, in every walk of life. When I was 
     seventeen, I witnessed the murder of my boyfriend/fiance', he 
     died in my arms, I never want my child, or any other child to 
     go through the trauma that I endured then. EVERY SINGLE CHILD 
     not only in the USA but THE WORLD deserves a life with out 
     fear. Do we, as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles . . . 
     want our children to go to school, play, church, or anywhere 
     in fear. I trully think not. This MILLION MOM MARCH is the 
     one step in the right direction to ensure our children (our 
     future) a happy and safe childhood, and life.''--Christine, 
     Baltimore, MD
       ``Almost every day the news media reports on another 
     shooting of innocent people. Guns do kill. It's a fact. Let's 
     get some tough laws enacted to stop this senseless 
     violence.''--Sharon Ward-Fore, Oak Park, IL.
       ``I am not yet a mom but I do have 4 beautiful nephews who 
     I worry about eveytime I hear about another shooting 
     involving a child. My husband was an avid hunter growing up. 
     His fondest memories are hunting trips he went on with his 
     father. But he and I agree that sensible gun control is 
     needed. We want to have children and would like to start in a 
     few years. Everytime I turn on the news, however, and I hear 
     about more gun violence in our schools and neighborhoods, it 
     makes me afraid to have a family of my own. How can I 
     possibly keep them safe? Do I need to move to another country 
     because our supposed ``representatives'' are governed more by 
     the NRA than by their constituents? I'm so glad that the 
     millions of us who support sensible gun control are 
     organizing and becoming a unified force to be reckoned with! 
     Together, we can have greater influence than the NRA and make 
     a change for the better! Let's make America something to be 
     proud of again!''--Deb Duffy, Baltimore, MD
       ``Who would have believed that this country would come to a 
     place in time when people would worry that the person sitting 
     next to them, or meeting them on the street, or driving by in 
     a car might decide to shoot them? What on earth are we 
     thinking of? Is this ``freedom?'' I am so proud of the 
     organizers of this march and I will do my best to be a 
     participant. Thank you all.''--Mary Kjos, Marine on St. 
     Croix, MN
       ``I will be marching in DC on March 14, in memories of my 
     son who was killed on October 10, 1999, only 19 years old. 
     The killer is still out there somewhere.''--Sally McKee, Fort 
     Washington, MD
       ``The Million Mom March is truly an idea whose time has 
     come. I've wondered many times if we women could stop a 
     nation in it's tracks with a peaceful assembly in the name of 
     our children on a given day. We owe it ourselves, our 
     children, and in the memory of all who have died at the hands 
     of someone holding a gun to show our concern for any lives 
     lost due to gun violence. If I can't make it to Washington, I 
     will try to organize a local march in the Poconos of 
     Pennsylvania. Just a couple of hours to show your concern for 
     all humanity is not too much to ask when you consider the 
     alternative of being sorry you did not take a public stand 
     against violence and support those of us who live everyday 
     with the empty rooms and heavy hearts from the memories of 
     murdered children and adults.''--Maria Coqueran-Belk, 
     Broadheadsville, PA
       ``My husband's name is Robert Ott. He is 30 years old. Nine 
     years ago, he was shot at

[[Page 6677]]

     point blank by a stranger in a bar. The stranger went to 
     prison for 8 years--he was released last year. My husband 
     lost his sight--for life. The bar was uninsured. My husband 
     was awarded $10 million by a judge. He has never seen a 
     dime''--Kimberly Ott, Seattle, WA
       ``I live just outside our Nation's capital and am still 
     reeling from the shock of the recent shootings at the 
     National Zoo. The mere fact that an 11-yr old child is 
     fighting for his life after what should have been an innocent 
     day at the zoo should be enough of a wake-up call for 
     everyone. I will never understand why a 16-year old felt the 
     need to bring a gun to the zoo, or why, based on this and 
     other tragedies there are still those who oppose gun 
     control.''--LeeAnn, Waldorf, MD
       ``Without our children there is no future. It isn't only 
     because of my 2 children that I am coming to Washington for 
     the Million Mom March, it is for the future of all of us. Let 
     there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.''--Debbye, 
     Coral Springs, FL
       ``I will never forget the day my 16-year-old daughter 
     learned her close friend, Hans Hummel, also 16, had been 
     murdered by gunshot. I phoned the police in Arizona where the 
     murder of Hans and another young man occurred, sure I would 
     be told it was just a vicious rumor. How could that little 
     boy wearing a soccer uniform in the photos my daughter kept 
     displayed in her room possibly have been shot in the head? 
     How could anyone do that to a kid? Why would anyone take a 
     hundgun to Walmart with them? Walmart was a place for Hans to 
     work after school to earn money, not a place for his murderer 
     to show up. Hans' murder took more than his life. The people 
     who knew and loved Hans will never be the same. They will 
     never trust like they did before his murder. They will never 
     feel as safe as they should be able to. They will never be 
     relieved of the anguish of losing their friend and all the 
     wondrous things that should have come from his life. Hans' 
     friends remember him each time they see a rainbow. He will 
     live on in their memories as the teenager he was, as each 
     Valentine's Day, his birthday, they bake a cake and sing 
     happy birthday to a perpetual 16-year-old who, because of 
     someone else's selfishness will never have the privilege of 
     growing old.''--Diane Puckett, Manassas, VA
       ``I think this march is a wonderful opportunity to show our 
     Congress and our country that we are saying ``NO MORE`` to 
     the senseless violence and loss that guns can bring. I don't 
     wish to outlaw all guns, but to simply regulate and wisely 
     control the industry. It is time that we make a stand to show 
     our lawmakers how we feel. Washington, be aware--we are 
     watching you, and our votes count!!''--Kim Smith, Carl 
     Junction, MO
       ``My hope is that we, as fellow humans inhabiting this 
     Earth, start placing a higher value on life than we do on 
     money or power, so that no more children will needlessly 
     die.''--Kelly Stanford, Hulmeville, PA
       ``I moved from my home state of California, which I thought 
     I would never do, because of the violence was coming to 
     close. Being in the mist of the roits, I thought what can do 
     to stop the violence? Well, we moved across the country to a 
     small southern town, where a week ago my son's friend's 
     Mother found 9mm Gun in his room. Which was stolen and only 
     cost him 2 weeks allowance. There is no Price large enough to 
     put on a child's, or for that fact anyone's life. When I got 
     the call (early) to pick my son up I knew something was wrong 
     in his voice. He told me what happened and I cried. ``I move 
     across the country to get away from this, and here it is in 
     my face''. Thank God my son turned and ran. The first thing 
     that came out of his mouth was ``Columbine and Hitler's 
     birthday, what was he thinking?'' He is now torn between 
     helping a friend see the right way and someone being killed, 
     even himself. I can no longer keep asking myself what can I 
     do. I am so glad that we as Mothers can finally make a stand 
     and be heard. I realize that I am one of the lucky Mothers 
     that still have a living child. My heart goes out to all 
     those others that have lost. These guns need to be taken off 
     the streets, and out of the hands of children and if the 
     government won't take them off the street then they need to 
     be in a controlled environment. One lucky Mom, Portia McRill, 
     Alpharetta, GA.''
       ``As I sat and read through all the postings on the 
     tapestry, my first thoughts were of my 8-month-old son. As a 
     new mother, how could I NOT do something to help protect him 
     and his generation, in addition to the future generations in 
     the years to come?? My following thoughts were memories of 
     how guns played a role in my life . . . when my grandmother 
     passed away when I was 10 years old, there was a young man 
     whose family was having his funeral in the same place as my 
     grandma. He was 20 years old. He had shot himself in the head 
     playing Russian Roulette. Or, when I was in Junior High and a 
     young man, upset about his girlfriend breaking up with him, 
     shot himself in the head. Outside the high school. Just a bus 
     loads of other children were pulling up. It is a memory I 
     will never forget. Or, in high school when my cousin's best 
     friend committed suicide with a handgun (after numerous other 
     attempts had failed). Flash ahead to Columbine, and the rest 
     of the school/company/random shootings that have begun to 
     happen on a fairly regular basis. No, I have never been 
     DIRECTLY affected by guns . . . so far. And, that's what 
     terrifies me and spurs myself and my husband into action. As 
     many people have said, ``it will never happen to me. . .'' 
     Well, it might. And, I want to do everything I can to prevent 
     it from occurring. I march in memory of the boy who played 
     Russian Roulette, the boy in front of the high school, and my 
     cousin's friend. And we march in honor of all of the children 
     and others who should NEVER have died in such a senseless 
     way. Lastly, for my son and the children of his and future 
     generations. We will not be in Washington, but will be 
     supporting the rally in Chicago. God Bless us, Everyone, in 
     our fight to keep guns under control. And let this not be the 
     only step . . . let us continue to march for those who 
     can't.''--Jamie Littlefield, Bensenville, IL
       ``On Easter Monday, April 24, at the National Zoo in DC 
     seven children were shot by a 16-year old boy. He used a 9mm 
     gun. We all know he couldn't buy the gun, so how did he get 
     it. Something has to be done when children can't go to an 
     Easter egg hunt at the zoo and feel safe.''--Patricia, Temple 
     Hills, MD
       ``AT LAST!!! A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO AGREE THAT EASY 
     ACCESS TO GUNS IS INSANE!! Why does this country recall toys 
     that have hurt a few children, but we haven't been able 
     (YET!) to have sensible control and licensing of guns which 
     kill 12 CHILDREN per day?!?!? MY SPIRIT AND THE SPIRITS OF MY 
     BEAUTIFUL 7 YEAR-OLD SON, MY MOTHER, SISTER, AND AUNTS ARE 
     WITH YOU!!! YOU GO WOMEN!!!''--Lynne Harkness, Edwardsville, 
     IL
       ``I have a 6 year old daughter & We are so excited to be 
     participating in ``The Million Mom March'', it's about time 
     our voices are being heard & that we will not tolerate the 
     violence any longer! As mothers, We are tired of our 
     beautiful children being slaughtered like worthless animals!! 
     God has given us the gift of being Mothers, and did NOT 
     intend on them to be ripped from our arms in this way!! No 
     matter how young or how old!! They are still our Babies!! So 
     precious and pure! Come and join us Mother's Day 2000, and 
     help us in this fight against the Violence being plagued upon 
     our Children!! Let these foolish people know we will not sit 
     and wait for our children to die painful and senseless deaths 
     in our schools and in everyday life. I look forward to 
     walking down the streets of DC in support of this worthy 
     cause. Remember, our children are our only hope for a better 
     future!! Love them and teach them that violence is wrong!! 
     Love them enough to save them!!!!! Eileen, Waldorf, MD''--
     Eileen E., Waldorf, MD
       ``It is very inspiring to see and read about so many people 
     who care about this issue. I am the mother of a Columbine 
     student who survived the shooting last year; however, my 
     daughter attended 3 funerals for victims. April 20, 1999 was 
     the worst day of my life. It was a nightmare for many of us 
     parents--even if we didn't lose a child. I have written to my 
     state legislators to ask them to support reasonable gun 
     controls proposed by our governor, but they did not feel it 
     was important enough to support these proposals. I will be 
     attending the local march in Denver along with other Mothers 
     and people who care about this issue. We must do more than 
     just attend the March, however; remember how your legislators 
     voted and unless they support our desire for reasonable gun 
     control--don't vote for them again. Support those legislators 
     who agree with many of us that reasonable gun control 
     measures will make a difference!''--Tina Campbell, Littleton, 
     CO
       ``LET'S MAKE OUR CITIES, STATES & COUNTRY A SAFER PLACE FOR 
     OUR CHILDREN! WE DEMAND GUN CONTROL!!!'' MARLA BENTON, CHAPEL 
     HILL, NC
       ``As an EMT and employee at Children's Hospital, there are 
     too many children transported to our hospital due to gun shot 
     wounds. I am a mother of three children and would feel a lot 
     more comfortable with the fact that we are moving closer in 
     the fight for gun control and easy gun accessibility. Guns 
     are meant for one thing and one thing only, to kill!! When a 
     6-year-old can obtain a gun, the time is overdue for the 
     strictest gun control measures.''--Tracy Staton, Bowie, MD
       ``In 1994, the 12-year-old son of a friend accidently shot 
     himself with a 22-caliber handgun and died. Why do we hide 
     our car keys so our five-year-olds can't drive the family 
     car, and yet allow something as deadly as a gun to lay around 
     within reach? How many dead children will we need before we 
     take parental responsibility? Normally I am a proponent of 
     minimal government intervention, but if we're not willing to 
     take responsibility for the safety of our families, then let 
     the laws fall where they may.''--Susan Richmond, Gig Harbor, 
     WA
       ``About 8 years ago my father was the victim of a car 
     jacking, he was shot twice. He survived, although it was very 
     touch and go for a while, but he will never physically be the 
     same again. I thought at that time this was the worst thing 
     that could happen to my family . . . But I couldn't have been 
     further from the truth. On Thursday, December 17, 1998, my 
     life changed forever. I came home

[[Page 6678]]

     from work with my 4-year-old daughter by my side and tried to 
     enter my home. I was unsuccessful in doing so and I started 
     knocking on the door. No one answered, I knew someone was 
     home. I went around to the back of the house and saw that the 
     balcony door was ajar. I thought maybe one of my two older 
     boys might have forgotten to close the balcony door and maybe 
     fell asleep or something. I then put my 4-year-old daughter 
     over the balcony so she could go inside and let me in. When 
     she opened the door I noticed my eldest son, who was 17-
     years-old, was lying on the floor. At that moment I still 
     didn't realize the extent of what was wrong. I leaned over my 
     sons body and that's when I saw that he had been shot in the 
     head. That image of my son lying on the floor is as vivid and 
     painful today as it was then. It was as if someone ripped my 
     heart out. My immediate reaction was who, what, why, how, and 
     also why I wasn't there to protect my son. After all it was 
     my job as a mother to protect him from all harm. I couldn't 
     save my baby. Your not even safe in your own home. Maybe by 
     getting these laws passed we will be able to spare another 
     mother, father, sister or brother the pain of losing a loved 
     one to gun violence. My son was a very fun person, very 
     artistic, and he loved basketball. He was looking forward to 
     getting his first real paycheck from his new job. I miss him 
     so much. I miss his face, his laughter. Just hearing him call 
     my name. The young man that killed by son was 19 years old. I 
     still have not really dealt with his death. The trial will 
     begin soon. I often ask my self: How in the world did this 
     happen?''--Faye Hicks, E. Elmhurst, NY
       ``We women need to remember that we are the swing voting 
     bloc this year. We have the power to overcome the NRA and 
     their pro-gun cohorts. We must stand resolute in our belief 
     that sensible gun control reforms are necessary not only for 
     the safety of our children, but for the safety of all 
     children. We must write our Representatives, our 
     Congresspersons, our Senators and Governors and urge them to 
     pass common-sense gun control legislation. Most politicians 
     have an email address . . . sending an email only takes five 
     minutes! This is our responsibility. We must speak and vote 
     for our children. They are worth the effort.''--Wendy, Lima, 
     OH
       ``As a society, we need to get a grip on what is really 
     important. We need to remember that children are children, 
     not small adults, and they need protection. We are a country 
     that educates parents to keep medicine and cleaning products 
     out of reach or locked up, yet there is free and easy access 
     to weapons. How are we to keep our children safe? We must 
     speak out and demand meaningful gun controls.''--Joanne P., 
     Farmingdale, NY
       ``I hope that someone plans to distribute this tapestry to 
     all of our Representatives and Senators--along with the 
     message that we are paying attention to how THEY vote--and 
     that we will cast OUR votes accordingly. By the way, my 
     daughter and I plan to attend the march, instead of our usual 
     Mother's Day movie and dinner.''--Elaine, Pasadena, MD
       ``Growing up as part of a family of avid hunters in rural 
     Wisconsin, guns were an everyday part of my life. My father 
     took great care to educate us on the uses as well as the 
     dangers of firearms. I feel blessed to have been raised in an 
     environment where a healthy respect for weapons of any sort 
     was imparted. Unfortunately, not everyone has that 
     opportunity. Today, as a mother of 3 year old twins, I am 
     still pro-hunting; however, a time has come for change. I 
     feel handguns and assault weapons serve no purpose but to 
     kill people and therefore should be outlawed. Rifles and 
     shotguns used for the purpose of legal hunting should be 
     allowed but only after extensive hunter education course 
     completion and installation of safety equipment. Severe 
     penalties for illegal possession and sale of firearms should 
     be implemented. Minimum jail time requirements, in federal 
     penitentiaries, with no chance of parole is a good start, but 
     still not enough. Waiting times, background checks and 
     possession limits need to be put in place immediately. I have 
     cried my last tear over a child killed through irresponsible 
     and reckless firearm use. I am now angry and choose to use 
     that anger to make a change in my child's world. Nothing else 
     in the world is so powerful as an idea whose time has come. 
     Now is our time. Good luck and God Bless. KSK''--Kristin K, 
     Burlington, NJ
       ``I am the mother of three and like most moms out there I 
     am afraid every time they leave my house. What will happen 
     when they go to school? What will happen when they are 
     walking down the street? Etc. I know all mothers worry 
     naturally, but in today's world it's not just worry, it's 
     panic. I've never been a victim of gun violence nor have I 
     known anyone personally. But just watching it on the news and 
     reading it in magazines and newspapers is enough to make me 
     sick. Some people in my family don't agree with the way I 
     feel about guns. I do not allow any type of gun in my house, 
     I don't care if it is ``just'' a water gun. There have been 
     family members who have bought my children toy guns and said, 
     ``It's just a toy, it won't hurt anyone.'' I don't believe 
     that to be true. Maybe like my family says I am overreacting, 
     but I feel a child should in no way know how to hold, handle, 
     or fire a gun, Toy or Real. I don't have the means to get to 
     the march this Mother's Day, but I will be there in spirit. 
     Someone has to put a stop to all of this violence and it 
     seems like Mothers are the obvious choice. After all who else 
     cares as much as Mothers do?''--Sue, Philadelphia, PA
       ``If there is any group that can change the course of 
     history and its events it's ``Mothers''. How appropriate that 
     this march is scheduled for Mothers Day. As women we have 
     changed the course of history and battled for our rights in 
     every court in this nation. We will succeed and for all the 
     right reasons ``safety for our children, grandchildren and 
     every child that follows. We will make this a safer world for 
     them.''--Paul L. Hayes, Stroudsburg, PA
       ``In October 1994, just two months after my first son had 
     been born, I got a call from the hospital that my older 
     brother had shot himself. He had been diagnosed for years 
     with paranoid schizophrenia and I could not believe how he 
     was able to get a hold of a gun. Although he survived a 
     gunshot to the head, it tore our family apart. We had always 
     been taught to stay away from guns. We grew up in one of the 
     most violent neighborhoods in San Diego. I saw the violence 
     of guns time and time again throughout my childhood. I had a 
     dear friend who was shot and killed when he was only 17 years 
     old. I vowed to never allow a gun, real or fake, into my 
     home. And now, almost six years later, another gun-related 
     tragedy has torn my life apart. My 19 year old nephew was 
     shot and killed at a party on April 1, 2000 in Arizona. The 
     21 year old host of the party was toting around a gun. He had 
     a history of violence and had used the gun several times 
     before to threaten other young men in the community. He 
     claims it was ``accidental.'' What is so ``accidental'' about 
     a man that carries around a lethal weapon, cocked and ready 
     to fire, while at a party with ``friends'' and then uses it 
     to kill and shoot another? Why are these weapons so readily 
     available? What is their use if only to kill? My nephew was a 
     loving, sweet young man who could unarm you with his smile. 
     We only have the memory of that wonderful smile left with us. 
     I cannot begin to feel the pain my sister-in-law feels to 
     have lost such a wonderful son. My husband is devastated. My 
     son is now five years old and we have another one on the way. 
     I want to fight so their lives will not end or be affected by 
     the tragedies gun cause. We must fight together and let our 
     voices be heard loud and clear. My husband and I will 
     participate in the Million Mom March in San Diego. Thank you 
     for taking a stand and organizing us moms. I hope this can 
     begin to heal our wounds.''--Layla Smith, San Diego, CA.
       ``Thank you to the Million Moms that will march nationwide 
     on May 14th. Let us be strong and determined that we will not 
     stop pushing this issue until there are sensible gun laws on 
     the books. I will proudly be marching in D.C. on Mother's Day 
     with my one year old daughter, my mother and my eighty year 
     old grandmother. Four generations of women that are committed 
     to make a difference!''--Lisa Hyle Marts, Baltimore, MD
       ``With all the violence involving young people, my mother 
     always comments that she would never want to have kids now 
     and have to raise them in this society. That is a very sad 
     comment. I have two small children (ages 18 months and 7 
     weeks) and I am also worried about what will happen in 
     society while I am raising them. I am glad that there are 
     groups that are trying to better things for our kids and 
     their future. Good luck with the march. Since I live on the 
     other side of the country, I cannot be there in person. I 
     will be there in spirit!''--Traci, Phoenix, AZ
       ``When I was 11 years old, my 21-year-old sister committed 
     suicide in the kitchen while the rest of the family was 
     getting ready for night on the second floor. She used my 
     father's revolver to shoot herself in the heart. I will never 
     forget the ``Ouch, Ouch'' and then the thud of her body 
     falling on the floor. It was 39 years ago; it still as vivid 
     as if it happened yesterday. If she had not had easy access 
     to my father's gun that night, she probably would be alive 
     today. When I was 15, I went through deep depression, and I, 
     too, attempted suicide. I didn't have access to a gun. I took 
     pills. I was found in time, and my life was saved. After 
     therapy and confronting the demons of my past, one of which 
     was my sister's suicide, I became a well-adjusted, 
     functioning adult. My point is that guns do make a 
     difference. Not having them save lives.''--Carole, AZ
       ``As a prospective Harvard Postgrad student, I can only say 
     that I will feel a lot safer heading off to the US for that 
     postgrad degree when gun control is introduced.''--Student, 
     London, MA
       ``On February 4, 1999 my life changed forever when two 
     detectives came to my home and told me that my son, Larry was 
     shot and killed tonight. Those words ring in my ears daily. I 
     cried, ``How could this be? I saw him 4 hours earlier''. He 
     was just going over his girlfriend's house. A trip he made 
     numerous times for over a year. At 6:30 in the evening as he 
     walked from the bus towards his girlfriend's house he was 
     shot multiple times

[[Page 6679]]

     and was pronounced dead at the scene. Larry was twenty-one 
     and had just accepted a job as a bank teller. I remember how 
     happy he was when he came home and told me he passed the test 
     and that he was waiting for the company to find a bank near 
     our home. His years of confusion, not knowing what to do with 
     his life was finally headed toward a goal. The person(s) who 
     killed my child took away someone I loved (still love) and 
     someone I miss daily. I miss what we shared. I miss what we 
     were suppose to share. I miss all the simple things I took 
     for granted that was to come. I will never know the joy 
     seeing him get married, the joy of holding my grandchildren. 
     This was all taken from me that night. I cry when I hear of 
     someone's child being killed. I live their pain, through my 
     own. I cry for how that mother must now feel now and the 
     difficult days to come without her child. I want the 
     senseless pain to end. I can't bring back my child, but if my 
     participating in the march can help save the lives of other 
     children, then I am very thankful to be part of this 
     march.''--Katherine Lewis, Columbia, MD.
       ``Selecting Mother's Day for this March is both appropriate 
     and quite in keeping with its original intent. Julia Ward 
     Howe urged the creation of Mother's Day as a day for women to 
     speak out for peace. Although it has changed over the years 
     to become a day to honor mothers, Howe's Mother's Day 
     Proclamation supports the goal of this year's march. She 
     wanted all people to be safe from the horrors of war. I hope 
     you will honor her and the history of Mother's Day by making 
     her words an official part of your day. Mothers have, for a 
     long time, spoken out against the madnesses that hurt our 
     children. We should all keep our foremothers in mind as we 
     continue the struggle,''--Cynthia Lehman-Budd, Cleveland, OH.
       ``The first thing we need to do is PRAY. These folks in 
     charge of changing the laws are procrastanating until one of 
     their kin is killed or hurt. If the presidents family were 
     shot, I'm sure the law would be passed. Don't give special 
     treatment to the higher ups. And leave us little people to be 
     hurt. Do something now. Exactly how many children will have 
     to die in vain because of ignorance of the gun use. This is 
     supposed to be the best city to live in but it seems to be on 
     the list to stay away from. Please do something with the gun 
     laws.''--Margaret Shields, Clinton, MD.
       ``I like so many other moms out there wish that that 
     sensible gun control laws had been in effect a long time ago. 
     About 5 years ago, my 14 year old cousin put a gun to his 
     head because he couldn't take being dumped by his girlfriend. 
     Well he live but not the way that he would like to, in a 
     wheelchair, parallized on his right side and not being able 
     to speak. Then 2 years ago, my Uncle, depressed for so many 
     years and not have a way out put a gun to his and died, 
     alone. Everytime I see Charlton Heston speak I get a huge 
     knot in my stomach, because it seems like everytime he does 
     speak another breaking story comes on the tv talking about 
     another school shooting. Mr Heston needs to ``think'' before 
     he ``speaks''.''--Tammy Towk, Lemoore, CA.
       ``as i read these tapestries i cry for all these lost 
     children. i can't imagine the feeling of losing a child, my 
     three sons are my world and the glue that holds me together. 
     i will be at the march no matter what. and like someone else 
     said earlier i will walk for every child lost to senseless 
     acts of violence involving guns. we need tougher gun laws and 
     we need to enforce the laws that we have now also. may GOD 
     bless all of you,''--s schwartz, ashley, IN.
       ``I almost lost my father to gun violence when he was shot 
     in the arm and side by a drug-addicted criminal while acting 
     in the line of duty (he's a retired police officer). At 18, I 
     got that long-feared knock on the door and was told that he 
     had been shot and was in critical condition in the hospital. 
     He died, was revived, and survived. But, his life (and mine) 
     was never quite the same. Reading the stories in this 
     Tapestry makes it all too clear why we need stricter gun 
     control legislation (while also working together on resolving 
     the underlying social/economic issues which give rise to 
     violence--accidental and intended). I am confused, disgusted 
     and angry when certain pro-gun advocates seem to believe the 
     issue of ``the right to bear arms'' is an all or nothing 
     issue. The aims of the majority of people (as the words in 
     this Tapestry make clear) is not to make guns illegal, but to 
     regulate and control them in a sensible manner, much as we do 
     many other activities and products. While it's true that 
     ``guns don't kill people, people kill people,'' there's no 
     reason we should make this any easier. With rights come 
     responsibilities. It's time we make our voices heard. In this 
     election year, let's make our votes really count for 
     something. See you at the MMM.''--Nike Carstarphen, Takoma 
     Park, MD.
       ``I pushed the gun away from my brothers feet, afraid to 
     touch it, but wanting to get it away. It was too late, it had 
     already done what it was intended for. I found him lying on 
     the floor and if Tom Delay and Charlton Heston could see and 
     feel what many of us have to live with they would agree, 
     wouldn't they? Let us try . . . No, let us do it! My brothers 
     name was Joe DiPaul and he had a wife and two children, and 
     he would still be here if not for an easily accessible 
     GUN!!''--Theresa Cass, King of Prussia, PA.
       ``Yesterday 6 kids were shot near the national zoo--
     apparently by another child. Yet our representatives waste 
     their time and our money to investigate the ``violence'' of 
     armed law enforcement personnel rescuing a child to be 
     returned to his parent. Just who is supposed to be carrying 
     guns in this society and what is ``violence?'' How many 
     children have to be shot before these self-righteous 
     legislators realize that a heavily armed society requires 
     even more heavily armed law enforcement personnel, and that 
     the excess supply of guns will end up in the hands of 
     children. These are the same legislators that think we need 
     to have a great excess of nuclear arms as a deterrent for 
     war.''--Sue Hauser, Beltsville, MD.
       ``My daughter and I will proudly march in the Million Mom 
     March. Our participation is not only an effort to demand 
     sensible gun laws but to remember those moms and children 
     that have been indelibly scarred by the use of guns in the 
     wrong hands. I am a Registered Nurse. I have worked closely 
     with children that have been traumatized by life's painful 
     events. Many of these are the result of the ruthless use of 
     handguns. I ask that we Million Moms remember these innocent 
     children in our purpose and in our prayer. For the frail 9 
     y.o. whose leg and mind were scarred when he was used as a 
     human shield in crossfire when his dad's drug deal went bad. 
     For the beautiful 12 y.o. whose guilt and shame overtook her; 
     never knowing if she killed the young target in the driveby 
     shooting, a rite of gang induction. For the despondent 16 
     y.o. who witnessed his mothers being shot in the street. His 
     pain has tempted him to find a handgun to take his own life. 
     For the 15 y.o. who returned home to find his mother's bullet 
     ridden body on the floor of his room. He is tormented by the 
     flashbacks. We ask that these children be kept in mind as 
     well as the staggering statistics. There were 32,436 people 
     killed by guns in the US in 1997. Hopefully, this strong 
     message will be heard by Congress and action will be taken to 
     pass sensible gun laws.''--M.J. Ferrone, Hillsdale, NJ.
       ``I am the mother of two very young boys (17 months and 7 
     months). I believe that the only purpose for hand guns is to 
     kill. I have been writing to my Congressmen asking them to 
     pass stricter legislation for gun laws. Recently I actually 
     received a response back, it was from Spencer Abraham from 
     Michigan who expressed his concern re: stricter legislation 
     fearing that that would punish law biding citizens. I feel 
     that law biding citizens would and should support smart guns 
     and mandatory safety locks. I am hoping that the million mom 
     march will show Congress that us moms mean business. Thank 
     you for organizing this.''--Patricia, Harrison TWP, MI
       ``I was 17 when I got the phone call that my 15 yr. old 
     brother was shot and killed playing with a ``unloaded gun''. 
     It was the worst night of my life. Now I am a mom of two 
     children and my husband and myself have made the choice not 
     to have a gun in our home. If it isn't there then nobody can 
     be hurt or killed. All we are asking for are minor things, 
     gun control. Locks on guns, time between the sales of guns to 
     one person, if only one person has had to die because we 
     didn't do any of these things then it is one too many. I 
     would bet if any of the members of the ``NRA'' have every 
     lost a child or family member that they would be with us and 
     not against what we are doing. They say it is their right. 
     But what about our rights as parents to keep our kids safe 
     from gun violence. We have to worry when we send them to 
     school, or let them play outside. It isn't right and it isn't 
     fair to us or them. We are not saying that they can not have 
     their guns, but please think if you don't keep them locked up 
     what can happen when they are at hand's reach of a child. 
     Children only do what they learn and are allowed to do. So it 
     is up to us to make a change. Hundreds of years ago guns were 
     meant for hunting, but now some of these guns are meant for 
     one thing and that is to kill another human being.''--Tonia 
     day, Hampstead, MD
       ``I need some clarification--many of our congressmen have 
     begun yelling and screaming because there was a loaded gun 
     near a small child. They are all over the TV calling for 
     hearings. ``The boy could have hurt and at the very least he 
     was traumatized! This shouldn't happen.'' Odd, gentlemen, 
     we've been saying that for ages and you've turned your back. 
     Either back up those words or you show yourselves for what 
     you are.''--JR. KY
       On June 5th, 1988 my 15 year old son was shot and killed by 
     a 44 magnum. The only good thing is he died instantly and did 
     not suffer, but for the past 17 yrs I and my family suffer 
     everyday. He was the baby of the family and the only boy. I 
     only hope that this will help change the laws on guns, so 
     nobody will ever go through what my family has. The loss of a 
     child is the greatest tragedy every known''--Rita McKinney, 
     Ridgecrest, CA
       ``What a beautiful tapestry of words, woven with love and 
     hope and true energy, about such an urgent issue. I and my 
     children will be at the march--I want our legislators to know 
     that they must speak for us.

[[Page 6680]]

     to do that, they must hear our voice. Stop the gun 
     violence!--Cathleen Barnes, Silver Spring, MD
       It's a fact of life that family members are forever lost to 
     us due to illnesses that cannot be cured. I remember, as a 
     little girl, overhearing my grandmother tell someone that the 
     greatest tragedy in life was to bury a child. It simply was 
     not what God intended. Many years later I stood with my 
     grandmother at a memorial service for my mother who had died 
     of cancer. The anguish she felt was clear. Now that I have a 
     7\1/2\ yo daughter, all I want is for her to be safe. As I 
     accompany her to/from school I am reminded daily that there 
     are people out there that may look sane but do not always act 
     accordingly. In a city where mentally ill individuals push 
     total strangers in front of subways cars, I am always aware, 
     and every vigilant, of the people around us as we travel. 
     Unfortunately I cannot tell if the person next to us has a 
     gun. The laws must change! Both my daughter and I will attend 
     the March in Washington because we are part of a community 
     that needs to be heard, that will change gun control laws, 
     and must demand that safety be restored to our lives. The 
     safety of our families must be an inalienable right!''--
     Lorraine Ashman, New York, NY
       ``The young's gun violence is so serious--some news I've 
     read in newspaper is so shocked. But many statemen don't do 
     any action. Tonight I heard about a great action of moms. 
     What an amazing courage! Yes, Moms are powerful. I'm sure 
     Moms can protect our children and make a safe country. Cheer 
     up! Now I live in Pusan, Korea. I heard about your march from 
     my principal in the institute of opportunity: leadership 
     developing center for volunteer.''--hee kim, pusan, AL 
     ``October 11, 1998, Hans Hummel was shot and killed in 
     Arizona. He was 17, a senior in high school with a bright 
     future. He was working at Walmart, and he and a security 
     guard were pursuing a man that had tried to steal a 
     television. The man shot both of them, both were killed. Hans 
     was a very good friend of mine for years, but we had recently 
     lost contact. Everyday I am haunted knowing that I am denied 
     the opportunity to let him know how much I cared. Guns are 
     unnecessary and intolerable. Why should we let them destroy 
     us? Where can the beauty be found in a gun that can be found 
     in a life? Can we look Hans' mother in the face and tell her 
     that man deserved to carry a gun with him? That it was his 
     legal right? Didn't Hans have a legal right to live? To 
     succeed? I am marching, along with my mother and best friend 
     for Hans' sake, that others may be saved as a result of the 
     pain that has been suffered. [email protected]''--Kayde 
     Puckett, Manassas, VA
       ``Yesterday, 6 children were shot at the National Zoo in 
     Washington. The fight between teens could have ended in cuts 
     and bruises, instead children were shot and a young boy is 
     brain dead. Although stricter gun laws will not put an end to 
     violence in our country, it will go far in saving precious 
     lives. Every day more children are shot and killed. Most 
     cases don't even make national news. I have lived in 
     Washington, DC for eight months. During this time, local news 
     has highlighted the violent deaths of several children. 
     Senseless deaths . . . Voters make your voices heard across 
     this country . . . Sensible Gun Laws?''--Kimberly, Ketchum, 
     ID
       ``We all need to be involved with gun education and 
     control. Mothers shouldn't have to be the only ones 
     concerned--everyone needs to care about our children and the 
     future of guns in this country as well as all over the world. 
     I have not personally been affected by the tragedies, but I 
     have cried for those who have and I want to keep my children 
     safe. March on?''--Shelli Seaton, Marble Falls, TX
       ``As an American expatriate now living in gun-free 
     Singapore, and one who is soon returning to live in gun-happy 
     Texas, I cannot express the great sense of safety parents 
     feel here knowing their children will not be gunned down in 
     school, at the zoo, and traveling about town in the evenings. 
     Singapore has tough laws, but there is a great sense of 
     freedom in safety that makes small sacrifices well 
     worthwhile? Nearly every parent returning to the US expresses 
     fears about their children's security there due to gun 
     violence. Without strict Federal gun control laws American 
     children will never feel the wonderful freedom and security 
     that the children of Singapore and other gun-free societies 
     enjoy and take for granted.''--Barbara Johnston, Corpus 
     Christi, TX
       ``On January 29, 2000 my 12 Year old son was sitting on the 
     sofa and was shot in the back of the neck with a nine mil. 
     bullet and one grazed his shoulder. Thank god he is alive and 
     ok. This was senseless and made me realize how much I hate 
     guns. I wish there were no such thing as guns, especially for 
     those who have lost loved ones this way.''--Tammy Baughman, 
     Detroit, MI
       ``Once I rote a letter to my local Congressman asking him 
     to support sensible gun control and he sent me back a 3 page 
     letter upholding the 2nd amendment as if it were the Bible. 
     But this had no effect on me, as in my life I have lost my 
     father, an uncle and a nephew by marriage to guns. One was 
     murdered, one a suicide and one was accidently. Had guns not 
     been around and easy to get, none of these untimely and sad 
     deaths would have occurred.''--Gael Ralph, Alpine, CA
       ``Together we can change our laws to provide sensible gun 
     legislation which will protect our families from senseless 
     violence. The MMM is about benevolent change for those we 
     love and cherish.''--Rebecca Angel, Albany, CA
       ``I support much greater control over the access to guns. 
     There should be true background checks on all firearm 
     purchasers at all gun shows, banning of the import of large 
     ammunition clips, keeping handguns and assault weapons out of 
     the hands of anyone under age 21 (unless appropriately 
     supervised) and ensuring that all guns are equipped with 
     safety devices such as trigger locks.''--Carla Seyler, New 
     Orleans, LA
       ``I think its about time for something like this to happen! 
     I plan to participate on behalf of my own children, 
     grandchildren, and all the other precious children that 
     belong to US! they most certainly are OUR future!''--
     Elizabeth C., Yellow Springs, OH
       ``Tonight (4/24) on the NBC Nightly News, in response to 
     the Elian raid, George W. Bush declared this to be a ``nation 
     of laws, not guns''. I am sure you can imagine my disbelief. 
     Mr. Bush, I am going to hold you to that statement. Not only 
     is this a nation of laws, it is a nation of children and 
     parents and sons and daughters and brothers and sisters. All 
     of whom deserve never to be witnesses to violence. I am 
     marching so that I can say that I live in a nation of laws, 
     not guns.''--Melissa Foutz, Washington, DC
       ``My 19 year old son, Ryan was sold a gun illegally by K-
     Mart & committed suicide on May 23, 1996. He couldn't buy 
     cigerettes in the store that sold him a gun! Ryan was 
     schizophrenic but had a heart of gold! I have a lot of 
     respect for Rosie for dropping representation of K-Mart! 
     Ryans is not an isolated case! This is happening time & time 
     again! I hope to make a difference in my lifetime in helping 
     keep guns out of the hands of people that should not have 
     them. No Mother should have to live with the constant pain of 
     losing a child because of irresponsible Gun Control! I will 
     be particating in the MMM with a broken ankle in 
     Jacksonville, Florida on Mothers Day! Sandra Eslinger 
     ([email protected])''--Sandra Eslinger, Park City, UT
       ``I have always been appalled at the control that the NRA 
     maintains on our lawmakers. Thank you for making the voice of 
     the many concerned parents of this country heard. The life of 
     one more child is too high a price to pay for the failure to 
     pass this common sense legislation.''--Becky Adams, Marietta, 
     GA
       ``I am the mother of two boys, ages 3 and 6. For years, I 
     have been very upset about the gun violence in America. Our 
     country appears to be a war zone with over 10,000 people 
     dying every year from guns--many of these innocent children. 
     If you look at any other country in the world, you wouldn't 
     find anything near that number. IT MUST STOP NOW! The Million 
     Mom March is an excellent way to get everyone involved in 
     order to stop gun violence. Thank you to the organizers of 
     this wonderful organization. Thank you for saving our 
     children.''--Andrea Price, Auburn, NY
       ``I'm a dad, a husband, and Director of an Emergency 
     Medical Services (EMS) department. I've seen far too much 
     violence and trauma that came out of the barrel of a gun. I 
     support this March (and all of the regional gatherings) with 
     my heart & soul. Be well. Practice big medicine. Hal Newman, 
     Montreal, Qc.''--Hal Newman, Montreal, Quebec, AL
       ``YES!!!! It's about time we mothers weighed into this 
     issue. We nurture the life that guns make so easy to destroy. 
     But don't stop with marching; write your senators and 
     congress people, write letters to the editor of your local 
     newspaper, ask you women's groups to take a public position 
     on the issue, support and express your appreciation to those 
     who champion gun control, and vote! Together, we are stronger 
     than the Tom DeLays of the world.''--Pamela Behan, Jonesboro, 
     AR
       ``June 29, 1993, I lost my oldest son to gun violence. It 
     was just two weeks after his high school graduation. Everyday 
     since that night, I re-live the whole thing over and over in 
     my head. I hope the Million Mom March can do something for 
     about the gun laws, I have three more young children and I 
     don't every want to go through the same situation again, nor 
     do I wish anyone else to. I will be marching in Chicago with 
     my family. Thank you,''--Olmedo, Chicago, IL
       ``I am the mother of a perfect, beautiful 9 year old girl. 
     I am saddened by the seemingly endless stories of innocent 
     children being killed by handguns, ether by accidents in the 
     home, or by the hands of intentional users. I live in 
     constant fear that someday this tragedy may become my own. I 
     am outraged by the lawmakers that continue to defend the so 
     called right of ``law abiding'' citizens to bear arms in the 
     form of semi-automatics and handguns. I applaud and support 
     the efforts of the MMM. I pray that this will be a wake up 
     call to legislators who continue to have the NRA in their 
     back pockets. I am tired of those who say gun control efforts 
     are in vain. I view gun violence as any other disease which 
     threatens our children and our

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     society, and step by step . . . effort by effort . . . God 
     listens to a mother's prayers.''--Julie Townsend, Davenport, 
     IA
       ``I think it is wonderful that we moms are speaking up for 
     our children and am glad to see dad's doing it too. How many 
     more children need to die before we see a need for licensing, 
     safety locks and background checks? When the Constitution was 
     written, the guns they were referring to were too heavy to be 
     held by a child, and could not be concealed in a over coat. 
     We need a reality check here. We have the right to bear arms 
     according to the Constitution in order to protect ourselves 
     and loved ones. It does not say we have the right to bear 
     arms and take away someone else's life who is defenseless. I 
     guess it would be mothers that would have the love for their 
     children to stand up to the politicians and the NRA and all 
     it's money and say, ``we are not going to allow this 
     senseless killing anymore!''--Anie Lyne-Both, Wailuku, HI
       ``I am not a Mother, but I am a Father and Grandfather. I 
     am also a longtime long gun and Handgun owner. But I totally 
     agree with everything your group is striving for in the area 
     of Gun Control. This Gun Madness must end! No one is asking 
     me to give up my Guns! I believe in Handgun registration and 
     licensing of Handgun owners. I also believe in the ``Cooling 
     off period'' for purchasing long guns. I also believe in 
     responsible gun ownership. Good luck and keep up the good 
     work.''--David G. Warner, Utica, NY
       ``I wish I could say that I do not personally know anyone 
     that has been adversely affected by a gun. I just heard about 
     the Million Mom March this morning, Easter, while checking my 
     email. I will be in the local Tampa march. I can't think of a 
     better way to celebrate Mother's Day, for both myself and my 
     daughter, Jasmine. I cannot imagine what it is like to have 
     to lose a child to such an act of cowardly violence. We do 
     not and will never allow guns, either fake or real, in our 
     home. Children are hurt and abused every day, and we cannot 
     stop most of this. This is an opportunity to the Mothers of 
     the United States to take a stand and shout ``Enough!'' and 
     remove one huge way of abusing our children, who are, after 
     all, are our future.''--Deb Carter, St. Petersburg, FL
       ``This should be the first step in promoting gun control. 
     The next step is that each mother at the rally contact five 
     others who, in turn, contact five others to vote for 
     legislation that ensures the safety of our children and 
     ourselves. We have the power to make a difference if we focus 
     our demands at the voting booth.''--Sandra Pressman 
     Weissfisch, Ridgewood, NY
       ``Look into the eyes of a child, yours or any other child. 
     See their smiles. Touch their tiny fingers and kiss that tiny 
     little nose. Imagine their future, a blank canvas that 
     society gets to paint, a blank sheet of music that we get to 
     write. What colors will we use? What notes will we choose? 
     Now look into those eyes again . . . how will YOU make a 
     difference? How will YOU ensure those eyes still shine bright 
     tomorrow and the next day? Or does it even matter to you? My 
     children matter to me. Your children matter to me. I will do 
     whatever I can so that our children can grow together, I hope 
     you will too.''--Sheri Seehorn, Milpitas, CA
       ``In January of last year a mentally ill person purchased a 
     handgun. She then walked into the Triad Center in downtown 
     SLC, took the elevator to the office of AT&T where she shot 
     Anne Sleater. Anne died a few days later. She was a beautiful 
     mother of a 6-month-old daughter and had only that month 
     returned from maternity leave. Anne and her husband Chris 
     were school mates of my son all though elementary, junior and 
     senior high school. We must not let tragedies like this 
     happen in this country again. We must have background checks 
     for purchasing guns to protect all Americans.''--Kay Jones, 
     Murray, UT
       ``My youngest son Kevin was shot and killed instantly on 
     January 1, 1990, he was 20 years young. I can't express 
     strongly enough how this insanity has got to STOP. The 
     children of this world are being taken from us. I have 22 
     grandchildren and 11 great children, I pray for their safety 
     every night, and worry constantly about who will be next? Not 
     only for my own family, but for all innocents. My two 
     daughters wrote in the Tapestry and one of my Granddaughters, 
     It breaks my heart to know the sadness that is still with 
     them and will never go away. God bless all you mothers, 
     Grandmothers, and caring people that will march on Mother's 
     Day. We must win this one, good luck.''--Gloria Coohill, 
     Moscow, PA
       ``On May 16, 1994, my husband Edward was shot and killed in 
     front of our three daughters. It was over a dumb baseball 
     game. It has been a nightmare since. God willing, myself and 
     the girls will attend the March. God Bless.''--Iris, Staten 
     Island, NY
       ``Yesterday I was reading an ``Arthur'' book with my 
     daughter, Julia and in the book Arthur has to write an essay 
     on what would help make America great. I asked my daughter 
     what she thought would help make America great and she 
     replied ``to have programs to help families and to stop 
     guns.'' I was shocked to hear such a well-thought-out 
     response from my 6 year old. When I asked about this she said 
     she remembered Columbine and didn't want any more kids to 
     die. As a nurse for the last 13 years, I know that all too 
     many do die--every day. I would say to the NRA: you say you 
     want to promote ``family togetherness''. Well the real way to 
     promote family togetherness is to STOP KILLING OUR KIDS. Way 
     to go moms, see you on May 14 in D.C.''--Rebecca Stern, 
     Havertown, PA
       ``Even back in the days of the ``wild wild west'', 
     strangers were required to check their guns when entering a 
     town. We've gotten so far from the basic civility of gun 
     control that now, instead of gangsters and robbers getting 
     killed, it's our children--the most fundamental building 
     blocks of our society. What's even scarier is the number of 
     children who have access to guns, before they've even had the 
     chance to learn what a wonderful gift life is. Thank you to 
     the organizers of this long-overdue stand for gun control. 
     Count me and my family in. See you May 14.''--Cathie Batavia, 
     McLean, VA
       ``Reading this tapestry has made me so emotional. As a 
     social worker, I know how just one person can make a 
     difference. I'm also a mother of a two-year-old. I don't want 
     to worry about my daughter's safety when she becomes school 
     age. In our society, we feel that the social problems that 
     exist don't exist in our backyard, but they do. I feel very 
     compelled also to make legislators hear ``our voices''. It's 
     time we end this nightmare.''--Kelly D'Onofrio, New Haven, CT
       ``I am thrilled that the women especially the Moms of this 
     country are standing up and saying, ``That's it. Enough.'' 
     and being pro-active about this critical issue of guns in 
     this country. I send blessings to each and every one of you 
     and know that we will be successful.''--Susan McGuire, Studio 
     City, CA
       ``I only heard about the Million Mom March today: the 
     anniversary of the Littleton, Colorado shooting. I am 
     appalled that nothing has changed in the last year. I am even 
     more incensed that I have stood by and done nothing, assuming 
     that someone else would make America safer for our children--
     for my child. That isn't going to happen. I must get involved 
     for Ellie's sake. She deserves a life with less gun 
     violence.''--Kathryn Kerr, Chandler, AZ
       ``Thirty years ago I lost a wonderful friend to the handgun 
     he had purchased for his own protection. Raising my children 
     near an urban area, having police officers in our family, I 
     know many sides of the gun issue. All I know for certain is 
     that guns are killers, and that sensible laws cannot and 
     should not be opposed by sensible people. I have raised my 
     kids to act on their convictions, and my daughter and I will 
     be there on Mothers Day.''--Peg Williams, Ambler, PA
       ``I will be marching in DC with my mother in memory of my 
     brother. Trevor was shot and killed April 8, 1993. No one 
     knows the who or whys. Seven years later my heart is still 
     broken and will never heal from losing him. To most people it 
     was just another ``random shooting'' on the city streets of 
     Buffalo, NY, but now my and my families lives will be forever 
     ruined. Thanks to everyone who is taking their time to 
     express their concern about gun violence.''--Rich, Dillon, CO
       ``When I was 14, my 11-year-old sister was shot by a school 
     buddy. Yes, it was an accident, however, if she had died, 
     would that have mattered? As a Canadian, I am also an avid 
     supporter of this cause and want to commend your organization 
     for bringing such an important issue to the eyes and ears of 
     the world. Recently, Charlton Heston was in British Columbia 
     denouncing Canada's gun laws and trying to raise supporters 
     for the NRA in our country. This frightens me greatly. I 
     would like to show MY SUPPORT to the Million Mom March in 
     some way on May 14, not only for the citizens of the United 
     States but all citizens against gun violence. Do you know of 
     any marches or demonstrations being held in Canada? Thank 
     you, Leisa Nason, Winnipeg, Manitoba ([email protected])''--
     Leisa Nason, Winnipeg, CN
       ``Heartfelt gratitude I feel for all who take part in this 
     March. My emotions have never been the same since I lost my 
     20-year-old brother to a single gun shot on New Year's eve 
     1989/1990. I weep with so many others . . . I have a son who 
     is 11 years old. I am trying my best to raise a sensitive and 
     caring man. I worry about the future for our children. This 
     march is a wonderful thing to do. Thanks again. Peace to all 
     . . . Mo Giandinoto''--Maurine Giandinoto, Mtn. View, Ca.
       ``Several months ago after another senseless gun death, I 
     said to my husband, `This will only stop when women take to 
     the streets to put an end to it to protect their children.' 
     Little did I know it was already underway. I can't be in 
     Washington, but I can and will be in Chicago. Let's not 
     forget another important thing--that is to show up at the 
     ballot box. If you are not registered to vote--do it today. 
     Here we come, ready or not!''--Julie Ilacqua, Clarendon 
     Hills, IL.
       ``Question for the NRA--What part of ``Well regulated'' do 
     you not understand?''--JR, KY.
       ``I am an intern with Texans Against Gun Violence, a Social 
     Worker, an aunt and a mother to be. I will be at the march in 
     DC with my husband to demand that Congress clean up this 
     mess. I will be marching in memory of all those who have died 
     senselessly and specifically for my high school

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     friend David Beatrous, who, at 18, shot himself in the head 
     at our school. He had a promising future as a scholar and 
     actor, but his depression made him desperate to end his pain. 
     He used his father's unsecured gun to do so. David's death 
     was a wake up call to me to get my own life together and to 
     someday work with suffering teens to heal their lives. A gun 
     in the home makes it 5x more likely that someone in the home 
     will use it to commit suicide (and 3x more likely to commit a 
     homicide). I am committed to doing my part for this cause. 
     But our elected leaders better do theirs.''--Jessica Hartog 
     Smith, Houston, TX.
       ``I lost a brother and a nephew to gang violence in 
     Chicago. Both were under 17 years old. I fled with my only 
     son to Silver Spring to keep him alive. He is now 28 . . . I 
     had to leave friends and family because of the gun violence 
     in Chicago . . . I will march on Mother's Day in hopes that 
     someone else does not have to leave everything to give her 
     child a chance at living! Rest in Peace Thomas Anthony (1973) 
     and Dujan Miller (1982)!''--Katie Johnson, Silver Spring, MD.
       ``While I was reading the tapesty I came across my mother's 
     letter about her 20 year old brother (my uncle) that was 
     killed by a single bullet 10 years ago. As I read that I 
     began to cry . . . even though it has been years since his 
     tragic death I cry often when I think of what he could have 
     been and how sad that my son Jacob will never meet the uncle 
     I loved so much. I will not be walking in the March in 
     Washington, DC but I will join the forces of many mom's in 
     Seattle, Washington. I walk for Kevin, my 4 year old son 
     Jacob, and my beautiful nephews. Yet every step I take during 
     that walk will be for every tear that my mother and 
     grandmother have let fall from there saddened eyes. We as 
     mothers need to make a difference in our chldren's future. 
     They need our strength and support to guide them through life 
     and I believe this march is the beginning of our strengths 
     shinning through. I thank you as a mother for caring for my 
     son's future, and his precious life. I can never repay all of 
     you for taking a stand for my son. You are right it is not 
     called the Jacob march but in my eyes it is because it is his 
     future and other children's that we are fighting for. Thank 
     you Tara D Rios''--Tara Rios, Bremerton, WA.
       ``There is no place for guns in a civilized society, and no 
     civilized society would allow its children--our future--to be 
     silenced, whether by design or accident, by the bullet. The 
     time has come to bring the senseless massacre of reason and 
     humanity to an end. Just how many more must perish by that 
     bullet before we, as those whom we elect to represent us, 
     say, ``No more?'' ''--Seth D. Bykofsky, West Hempstead, Long 
     Island, NY.
       ``I plan to march locally in LA on Mother's Day in support 
     of stricter gun laws. As I watch the news coverage of the 
     tragic events happening all over the country my heart breaks 
     over families torn apart by gun violence. I feel almost 
     ashamed to be an American and sometimes wonder how I can 
     justify raising my son in such a violent society. I am angry 
     that while more children are killed by guns our lawmakers sit 
     on their hands and bow down to Charlton Heston and the NRA. 
     When I heard of the march my heart lept because that's 
     exactly what's needed--the Mom's of America need to unite and 
     speak out (loudly) to our Government--STRICTER GUN CONTROL 
     NOW! You Go Mom's!''--Pam Edwards, Los Angeles, CA.
       ``I believe in this march because if we don't make a move 
     to stop the senseless killings we will continue to watch the 
     news everyday and see another senseless shooting or worse 
     suffer a loss within our own families. We cannot continue to 
     allow the proliferation of guns in our homes and streets just 
     because there are those in our society who wish to gain a 
     profit for the sale of guns.''--Wanda Reid Wilson, 
     Southfield, MI.
       ``I WITNESSED the senseless SHOOTING DEATH of my 13yr old 
     nephew 6/8/98. He was KILLED while PLAYING basket ball IN HIS 
     OWN YARD, by a 12yr old PLAYING SNIPER. No, I'm not a mom, 
     but I couldn't have loved him more or hurt any less than my 
     sister. WE CAN ALL SAVE THE CHILDREN IF WE WORK TOGETHER AND 
     TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.''--Claudette, Richmond, CA.
       ``My youngest brother Kevin was shot and killed on New 
     Years Day 1990 in New York City. The memory of that phone 
     call and the violent way he died will never leave my heart. I 
     thank you for this march and I am going to get things 
     together so I can be there. Kevin was 20 years old''--Kathie 
     Riera, Hawley, PA.
       ``It seems so natural to try to end all of this senseless 
     gun violence on Mother's Day. There is no stronger bond of 
     love than a mother and her child. I have three sons; Tony 
     (20), Mitchell (18), and Jared (9) who deserve a world of 
     peace and I am going to do anything and everything I can to 
     make sure that happens! My heart and prayers go to all of the 
     moms out there who lost their children to this evil. And 
     because those in Washington don't pay that much attention to 
     the ``common man'', it is up to us to make those in 
     Washington sit back, take a hard look at what THEY have and 
     have not done! God's grace be with us all!''--Patti Moy, 
     Indianapolis, IN
       ``I am a mother and a grandmother. I had the good fortune 
     to be blessed with two beautiful, wonderful sons, Mead and 
     Brad. Brad wil be 30 on May 7th. Mead would have been 33 on 
     June 11th. Mead Jeffrey passed away on December 28, 1999. No, 
     he didn't die of a gunshot wound. He died of leukemia. 
     However, I know the unbearable pain and anguish of loosing a 
     child. It is the worst possible tragedy that could befall a 
     mother. The pain of mothers who have lost children to 
     senseless violence is also my pain. No mother should have to 
     bury her own child--it's just not right or natural. We pray 
     for long lives for our children, and when these lives are 
     needlessly and senselessly cut short, we wonder what kind of 
     a world we live in where children are allowed to die--whether 
     it be through illness or violence--it is WRONG! My heart goes 
     out to all the families who have lost loved ones because the 
     power of the NRA has become so great that it seems to have 
     overtaken and paralized our government. It's time for someone 
     to take a stand, and who would be better at doing so than the 
     mothers of our country! I cannot attend the march in 
     Washington, but hope to do something on a local level to show 
     my support for the MMM. My mourning is still so intense. I 
     will never be the same. I, too, cry every time another child 
     becomes the victim of a senseless shooting. The shooting of 
     the 6 year old by a seven year old was such a shock! How did 
     our great nation come to this??? We must end this violence 
     NOW. I will be with you all in spirit on May 14th. I know my 
     son Mead will be watching from wherever he is. He has two 
     beautiful little girls, age 2 and 6. I am scared for them. 
     Can they survive their school years? Who would have ever 
     thought it would come to this--that parents and grandparents 
     have to worry about sending their children to school every 
     day!?! Here's to the mothers of the world--together we can 
     and WILL make a difference! Our voices must and WILL be 
     heard! Beverly Himelstein, Bloomfield, CT''
       ``I am the proud mother of two wonderful children, ages 10 
     & 2\1/2\. I am so thankful for this opportunity to speak out 
     against the gun lobby and those politicians who are so firmly 
     wedged in its pocket. There must be some common sense used in 
     the selling and manufacturing of guns. When the assault 
     weapon ban was repealed a few years ago, I was sickened. I am 
     ashamed to say that one of the representatives of my state 
     played a major part in that repeal. He is now running for 
     governor in our state and seems very proud of his pro-gun 
     record. This is a very pro-gun state, but please know that 
     not all of us are like that. Growing up, I even heard the 
     minister of my church declare that the government would take 
     away our guns, and thus, our freedom. Why would this be 
     included in a church sermon? Christ taught peace and love of 
     your fellow man. I am sorry to say that a lot of my family 
     still feels this way. I will probably take a lot of flak for 
     this march. Thank goodness my husband supports me 100%. I 
     pray that we can make a difference, and that my children and 
     their children can grow up in a society that is not so 
     saturated with violence.''--Sandi Young, Charleston, WV
       ``I had a brother 3 years older than me. He was a typical 
     big brother, often teasing me and my little sister to tears 
     but also always ready to play with us and as we got older, 
     there to listen and be a friend. My brother had a way of 
     making people love him. He was charming and thoughtful and 
     caring. Most of all he would go out of his way to help 
     people, they couldn't stay angry with him. He would win them 
     over with his smile and because of his determination to be 
     friendly. He was a nonviolent man. When he was drafted for 
     the Vietnam war, he became a conscientious objector. He 
     didn't run away, he was determined to do his part if he had 
     to, but he couldn't kill others and sought a nonviolent way 
     of helping. Three years ago my brother in typical fashion 
     stepped in to help a colleague. He was due a vacation. His 
     children, then aged 6 and 8, had never been on a real family 
     vacation and they planned to camp up through California and 
     end up at my Uncle's ranch in Oregon. But Preston's colleague 
     was sick with cancer and he asked my brother a favor--would 
     he be part of a panel hearing a student's Master's thesis 
     defense? My brother changed his plans, shortened his vacation 
     and came back to hear the student's work. On August 15, 1996 
     that student ambushed three professors in a small room, 
     firing over 40 rounds in less than 2 minutes, from a 9mm 
     police type semi automatic hand gun he had concealed in the 
     room. My brother and two colleagues died, leaving 3 young 
     widows and 5 orphaned children. The irony is, if he had known 
     the student and known of his fears and worries, he would have 
     gone out of his way to help him. The student held a license 
     for his gun and practiced regularly at a gun club. Please 
     tell me why an ordinary citizen needs such a weapon? He had a 
     family history of mental illness and was ex-military 
     training, which apparently is a typical profile for `cagers' 
     according to recent research. If that is the case, why is it 
     he and others like him can obtain a license? We need to 
     protect the rights of all our citizens. I have heard much 
     talk about our `constitutional rights'. If you read the 
     constitution, you will know that the right to bear arms is in 
     an organized militia, not in a classroom. My

[[Page 6683]]

     brother's constitutional rights died with him in a hail of 
     bullets. Please let us move into a new century with a better 
     understanding and respect for what other rights are and 
     should be--that is to feel safe in our work environments and 
     to know that our children will come home from school at 
     night.''--Mary Rose, Hebron, CT
       ``I am the very proud mother of an almost 2 year old boy. 
     He is my hope, my future, and the pride and joy of his 
     family. Our children--the nations children--are the hope of 
     the future. Thank you for starting this march, thank you for 
     doing what you can to keep guns out of their hands. I am 
     HONORED to be a part of this tremendous effort! If we can 
     help prevent one senseless death of an innocent child by this 
     march, then it is well worth it. God Bless!''--Kris M. 
     Koehler, Overland Park, KS
       ``Please keep guns away from children--they are our hope 
     for the future, the most precious resource this country 
     has.''--Marta Settles, Burke, VA
       ``My husband has been a reserve police officer for over a 
     decade working in a northern California city with a high 
     violent crime rate. He has been in situations where he has 
     had to draw his weapon more times than some officers will in 
     an entire career. He has seen so much death and sadness as 
     the result of guns in the hands of criminals, teens, 
     substance abusers, and emotionally desperate people. Early in 
     his career he saw the middle-aged parents of one of his 
     partners on the force, make the nightmare decision to 
     disconnect their adult son (and my husband's co-worker) from 
     life support and watch him die from devastating brain 
     damage--the result of being shot in the line of duty by a 
     criminal--a 19 year old who got his hands on a ``Saturday 
     Night Special'', and used it. My husband, a witness to the 
     events leading up to the shooting, testified at the trial of 
     this young man, who had been raised in a violent family where 
     guns were as everyday as a loaf of bread, and saw the jury 
     lock him up for life. Two young lives destroyed, albeit in 
     different ways, because guns were available. I watch parents 
     in toy stores buying their children plastic guns--pistols, 
     machine guns, ``Star War'' space guns, and see the parents 
     laugh as their kids aim at each other and shoot. If they 
     could see and understand what my husband sees and experiences 
     they might come to believe that guns are not playtoys, that 
     guns in the wrong hands kill and maim. My daughter knows that 
     my husband uses a gun in his police work. She has been taught 
     to respect his weapon, and to understand the awesome and 
     powerful aspects of guns. His service weapon is kept in a 
     locked gunbox and never removed until he leaves the house for 
     a shift. I support the Million Mom March with all my heart. 
     It is time that this country and our elected officials 
     respond to the needs of our citizens for sensible gun-control 
     laws and law enforcement, and not cater to the lobbying of 
     special interest groups and firearms manufacturers.''--Terry 
     Clark, Los Gatos, CA
       ``As the mother of a police officer killed in the line of 
     duty, I have long been aware of the need for some kind of gun 
     control. I am so glad to see SOMEONE finally take a stand. I 
     no longer feel alone in my views on this important issue.''--
     Billie Hurst, Roseland, VA
       ``Although the state of Georgia is very pro gun, I want all 
     to realize we're not all that way. Stop this insanity of 
     guns, guns available to children. Stop children killing 
     children,''--Sherry Roak, Nashville, GA
       ``My husband and I have three children. My husband is a 
     hunter. We lock are guns up and have taught our 5 year old 
     about gun safety. She is not allowed to touch or even shoot. 
     I just talked to her about what do do if someone points a gun 
     at her. My daughter cried right alone with me that little 6 
     year old girl died. I can't understand the madness. I will be 
     there mother's day. God bless everyone who has lost someone 
     they loved to guns.''--Sheila, Angola, NY.
       ``When we lose our children due to illness or natural 
     disaster, it's a tragedy. When we lose our children due to 
     gun violence, it's a reflection of our own stupidity, laxity, 
     and arrogance. It's time to hold onto and protect our 
     children, our most precious resources, by standing up to be 
     counted. Each one of us has a voice that matters, and it's 
     time to use that voice and our brains to protect those we 
     love and value so much. A choir of thousands of women 
     chanting their demands for tight gun control is better than a 
     choir of a thousand moms singing songs of lamentation at 
     church funerals. Believe, think, act!--Kathey Kelly, Ann 
     Arbor, MI
       ``My son Nick was 16yrs old when he was shot, by another 17 
     yrs old in May 1977. He was not killed Thank God, but he is 
     maimed for life. He was shot in the spine and the bullet 
     still remains there. The Doctors can't do anything for him, 
     because his nerves has been severed from his spine, he is in 
     contant pain everyday and has to live on pain meds. I feel 
     for the children and families that have been killed by guns, 
     but what about the ones that have been maimed, what is the 
     stats on them? I'm in support of the Mom's in the Million 
     Moms March, and planning on being there and hoping to take my 
     Son with me.''--Susan Woytasik, Mesa, AZ
       ``When I remember the pains of giving child birth I can't 
     help but wonder how anyone could deal with the pain of losing 
     that priceless child in a shooting death. We are each 
     someones child, no matter what age we are. Life is precious 
     and we must protect it with conscious efforts like this 
     Million Mom March.''--LeAnn Crawford, Caldwell, ID
       ``On April 1st, 1986 my only son, 19 yrs old, was killed by 
     a ``friend'' who was just showing him a gun that was ``not'' 
     loaded. Irresponsible people and irresponsible use of a gun 
     has taken away someone so very precious to me and our family. 
     We are loosing our children by the thousands to this. It is 
     insane. If only they could hear us crying or feel our pain at 
     our losses, but God forbid, they ever walk in our shoes.''--
     Judy B., Peoria, IL
       ``All gun purchases should require a complete background 
     check, state and federal database registration, trigger locks 
     and a personal insurance policy, (just as you must have auto 
     insurance in case of accident/injury). Handguns should be 
     severely controlled, as their purpose is to kill/injure 
     humans. Congressional members, please listen to us, not the 
     NRA.''--Sharon & Martin McGladdery, Farming ton Hills, MI
       ``The hand that rocks the cradle truly rules the world. We 
     will end gun violence and soothe the anger and hatred that 
     feed it by joining together to show our children and the rest 
     of the country our love and our resolve to take control. 
     Thanks to those moms who have taken the steps to make this 
     march possible. This will truly be a Mothers Day worth 
     celebrating!''--Allison Leopold, Falls Church, VA
       ``There are a lot more moms out there than members of the 
     NRA and it's time to make our voices heard, I am making this 
     a personal goal--that the Million Mom March is the starting 
     point for a new grassroots movement to end gun violence. So, 
     the next question is . . . What are we doing after the 
     March????''--Holly Spiegel, Calabasas, CA
       ``Though I will be unable to join the march, my heart and 
     thoughts will be with you all. I applaud every single mother 
     who participates. I feel the NRA's anti-gun control arguments 
     are totally antiquated; no one needs semi-automatic weapons 
     to protect their rights, or to use for hunting. Even if 
     someone wants a handgun, why is it unreasonable to require a 
     waiting period or a trigger lock? No one, child or adult, 
     should have to die violently from a bullet. We must convince 
     Congress to take action once and for all.''--Susan Turgeon, 
     Norridgewock, ME
       ``In November of 1999, my son walked into a sporting goods 
     store in Atlanta and walked out with a gun. He used the gun 
     to end his life. If he had not had such easy access to that 
     gun, I believe he would be alive today. Our grief is 
     indescribable, our pain hard to endure, our lives will never 
     be the same. All who knew my son have been affected by this 
     tragedy I am so glad that this first Mother's Day without my 
     son, I will be able to do SOMETHING. I have always been pro-
     gun control but now I am passionate about it.''--Judy, Tampa, 
     FL
       ``On May 11, 1999 my life changed forever with the phone 
     call every parent dreads. My son was dead, shot with a gun 
     belonging to this father. I will never know what happened to 
     my precious 14 year old, but because of a gun left carelessly 
     accessible, Kit will never have an opportunity to grow up. I 
     will never feel ``safe'' again. My family has been torn 
     apart, not just by violence, but by poor judgment and poor 
     decision making. How many other lives must be ruined by this 
     same lack of initiative? We must protect our children, and we 
     must find a way to reach our legislators I don't want my 
     child to be a statistic. He was more than a number to me. How 
     do we communicate this sense of loss to Congress?''--Dru 
     Fentem, Tifton, GA
       ``February 22, 1999 my son who was only 4 years old was at 
     a close friend of ours playing with there 6 year old 
     daughter, who got hold of a 22 rifle and accidently shot my 
     son above the right eye. He is now blind in that eye, 
     paralyzed in his left hand and cannot walk without a brace on 
     his left foot. He was a perfectly healthy 4 year old before 
     this happened. Even to this day the doctors say he is a 
     miracle, they tell me he was not supposed to survive and even 
     though he did, with the injuries he had he should have been 
     brain dead. My son was a lucky child to survive this. The 
     story is the gun was sitting beside a chair in the living 
     room, loaded and ready to go. My son will always have to work 
     harder than others, take criticism in a cruel world because 
     he's different, and may always have to use a wheelchair when 
     he's too tired to walk because of someone else's stupidity. I 
     want my son's accident to be a lesson to all. I tell my story 
     to people that have guns and children because what my husband 
     and I have been through and are still going through is a 
     parents worst nightmare. Our son with the help of millions of 
     prayers and the grace of God made it. Even though he made it, 
     it's still heartbreaking to see him suffer through hard 
     times. I am a mother who is a full believer in making 
     stronger gun laws. If anyone would like to e-mail me with 
     their comments, please do. My e-mail address is 
     [email protected]''--Kristi Stepp, Dumfries, VA
       ``I would just like to say that I think that the march is a 
     wonderful idea, and its about time this sort of thing took 
     place. I'm the co-founder and president of a club at my high 
     school, S.A.Y.V., Students Against

[[Page 6684]]

     Youth Violence, and because we live right near the District, 
     a big group of kids are planning on attending. It's not just 
     adults who worry about gun legislature and things like that, 
     but also people who are just children themselves. The 
     response from the student body has been overwhelming. I have 
     no doubt that a great deal of the next generation in America 
     is planning to make the difference.''--Leigh, Springfield, VA
       ``Me Conmovi mucho el saber que como mujferes y madres nos 
     podamos unir en esta gran causa, como madre me preocupa el 
     bien de mis dos ninos son lo mas importante en mi vida y en 
     la de mi esposo ellos son la razon por la que me levanto en 
     las mananas y me moriria de la tristeza el saber que uno de 
     ellos me le paso algo o que alguien me los lastime asi que 
     por eso quiero participar en esta marcha y aunque no pueda ir 
     a Wa. D.C. ire a la marcha de mi estado de Wa. Pienso que es 
     bien importante porque mis ninos son el futuro de este pais. 
     Denise Trimble.''--Denise Trimble, Gig Harbor, WA
       ``This madness has to stop and we need to be heard. I plan 
     to be in Washington, D.C. on May 14, 2000 fighting for 
     stricter gun laws to help protect our children. I have 2 
     boys, ages 5 and 3 and I do not want them to be exposed to 
     guns, especially at school, which unfortunately, is where 
     kids seem to be getting killed by them more and more. A place 
     where they are supposed to be, and more importantly feel 
     safe. We are their protectors and I would not be doing my job 
     if I did not support this issue and got involved in this 
     March. I will see all of you there on May 14, 2000. In the 
     meantime, I will continue to say prayers that our children 
     can stay protected. God Bless.''--Kelly Borbely, Belford, NJ.
       ``By our readiness to allow arms to be purchased at will 
     and fired at whim. We have created an atmosphere in which 
     violence and hatred have become popular pastimes.''--Martin 
     Luther King, Jr. It's amazing with all the advancement this 
     country has made from the time this man was alive, that this 
     statement still rings true today. I don't want to leave this 
     world knowing that I complained about this violence, but did 
     nothing to curtail it. We must all be leaders from here on 
     out, getting involved in our communities, until gun violence 
     is a thing of the distant past. It can be done. ``Do not wait 
     for leaders; do it alone, person to person.''--Mother Teresa. 
     I will see you in Washington.''--Manzo Speight, DC
       ``I am so thankful that someone has found a way for those 
     of us who believe in this cause to show and voice our 
     support. The people elected to represent our interests are 
     out of control and so obligated to special interest groups 
     that it's unbelievable. No group is more dangerous than the 
     NRA. We don't have the money the NRA has or an over-the-hill 
     actor spouting propaganda but I think we can make a 
     difference. Our elected officials need to know that there are 
     a lot of us here and we're fed up. ``Common sense'' is an 
     unknown term to those in the pocket of the NRA. If they won't 
     listen, we can make a difference on election day!''--LH, 
     Broken Arrow, OK.
       ``I AM A SOLE SURVIVOR OF A SHOOTING. My best friend was 
     killed and I was shot when a 19 year old wanted to see what 
     it was like to kill someone. It was random and it changed my 
     life, my family's life, my friend's life and his family's 
     life. I will walk with the Million Mom March in hopes that 
     when I have children, they won't ever have to know the pain I 
     know and I won't have to know the pain my best friend's mom 
     knows. We are all in this together. We can make a difference. 
     I honestly believe that.''--Yvette Evans, Layton, UT.
       ``I am the mother of 3 and I am an Emergency Medicine 
     doctor. I have seen the carnage of gun violence first hand 
     for years--a high school student shot dead while mowing his 
     lawn by a mentally ill person. A man who shot his brother to 
     death in an argument over the TV remote. We are not safe. Our 
     kids are not safe. I'll be at the march to add my voice to 
     all of yours.''--Kerry Foley, Chevy Chase, MD.
       ``I am a new mother now of about 3 months. Unfortunately 
     these news broadcasts are just now staring to affect me, but 
     now I am afraid to send my new son to school. Just the 
     thought of sending him to school in 5 years where he could be 
     shot and killed terrifies me. I saw a Dateline episode where 
     one of the gun companies tried to make the ``Smart Guns'' and 
     were boycotted by the American Rifle Association. That 
     company went out of business. Doesn't that make you think? 
     Those guns can only be used by their owners, and they were 
     boycotted. Now, a person buys a gun and gets the license so 
     that THEY can use it, not so that everyone else can use it, 
     so why does it matter if they are ``Smart Guns'' or not? Does 
     the American Rifle Association want our kids to die?''--
     Heather R. Spann, Wabash, IN.
       ``Three years ago this May, my 13-year-old nephew Jim used 
     a loaded, unsecured handgun to end his life. Because he had 
     this weapon readily accessible to him while home alone, a bad 
     day at school turned into the last day of his life. I am 
     certain that without easy access to loaded gun, Jim could 
     have survived his academic crisis. Now he is lost forever to 
     those who love him; he will never grow up, never go to 
     college, never fall in love, never raise a family of his own. 
     I wish and hope that we can help prevent this horrible 
     experience from happening to others.''--Katherine Toyer, 
     Earlysville, VA.
       ``Years ago at my cousin's ranch the kids were PLAYING 
     around, showing off, swinging around a rifle and BANG! Dead 
     cousin. The boy who held the gun was a nice kid. Living on a 
     ranch he was familiar with firearms. He knew not to PLAY with 
     guns, not to point them at people, to check if they are 
     loaded. But he was an IMPULSIVE teenager who acted, as do 
     most kids, without thinking through the possible 
     consequences. It is our responsibility as adults to protect 
     our children from their own naturally impulsive, thoughtless 
     behavior. Safety locks, registration, purchase time-limits, 
     these do not restrict our second amendment. I'll be at the 
     Seattle Center in Seattle Washington on March 13th to rally 
     for gun control. Hope we can get the government's 
     attention.''--Jan H. Renton, WA.
       ``I have 12 children the oldest one is 34 years old the 
     youngest one is 9 years old and not one of them have ever had 
     a need for a gun, if our country was at war than ok we may 
     need a gun in the home but I haven't seen a redcoat or a 
     Indian trieng to brake down my door latley? We have given so 
     much to our kids over the years in this country maybe it's 
     time we took something away from them and give the parents 
     back the right to see there babys grow up and become parents 
     to a parent should never have to be afraid to sent there 
     babys to school or to sunday school and we should give them 
     the freedom to live a long and happy life and not be afraid 
     of other children in there schools? There is a song that says 
     I believe I can flie, and we need to give our kids the chance 
     to do that. Thank you. Theresa J. McNurlin''--Theresa J. 
     McNurlin, Filer, ID.
       At the age of thirteen I walked into my mom and dad's 
     bedroom to find my fifteen year old brother with his brains 
     across the room due to a freak accident with a shotgun. . . 
     That image is in my mind today as strong as it was that day! 
     I now have to live with the fear in the back of my mind that 
     one day my daughter will be in school . . . looking down the 
     barrel of a shotgun. . . . Years ago with my brother gun 
     safety was not as widely talked about and spread out to 
     people. . . Today it is there and they don't seem to listen 
     and they just don't seem to care. They act as though adding 
     safety for our children will infringe on their right to go 
     hunting, or to offer up defense, etc. So they fight against 
     any form of gun control. And as long as the killing doesn't 
     infiltrate their life they think that they are right to fight 
     this. Yet the day is does they will be out raged that it 
     happened and nothing was done sooner! It took my brothers 
     death to awaken my family on these issues. . . I don't want 
     it to take my children's to awaken the world!!!! There's been 
     to much senseless dying due to lack of support on simple gun 
     laws. I think it is time that our Government and ALL 
     gunmakers to stand up and help save our youth!!!! I for one 
     thank Smith and Wesson for putting locks on all guns they 
     make from now on. My only wish is that it had been done 
     sooner..''--Brenda Kliebenstein, Jacksonville, FL.
       ``I have no problem with those who own appropriate weapons 
     for hunting and keep them locked appropriately when not 
     hunting. However, those of you that own guns for self-
     protection and have concealed weapons permits, please tell us 
     the circumstances that will provoke you to shoot another 
     human being. I've tried to think of incidents on my own but 
     cannot come up with any that would be appropriate. Please 
     don't say ``another human may threaten me with a gun, 
     therefore, I must be ready to shoot him/her first.'' 
     Shouldn't the goal be the reduction, not the proliferation, 
     of guns on the streets in the hands of non-law enforcement 
     people.''--Marilyn, Fairfax, VA
       ``My nineteen-year-old son, Jonathan, was shot with an 
     unlicensed handgun on Friday, October 13, 1995. He was 
     attending a party for a friend that was entering the Navy 
     when a guy who had been drinking came with a gun. Supposedly, 
     the killer had forgotten that he had loaded the gun and put 
     it to my sweet boy's left temple and pulled the trigger. My 
     boy hadn't been gone from our house 30 minutes when we 
     received a call that he had been shot. We rushed to the 
     hospital but he was non-responsive. Jonathan Stephen McGowan 
     was declared brain-dead at 2:30 the next day. We were able to 
     donate his organs, which would have made him glad. This 
     senseless act with a gun, killed one of the sweetest boys any 
     mother could want. Nine months later, my husband died very 
     suddenly from a brain aneurysm at the age of 48. I have no 
     doubt that my husband's death is directly related to the 
     emotional stress suffered as a result of the loss of this boy 
     he loved more than life. In essence, that gun killed my two 
     favorite men and left my daughter and me with the knowledge 
     that the remainder of our lives would always be tinged with 
     varying degrees of sadness. I've written a great deal since 
     my boys died. One short piece follows: WHEN The months and 
     years drift by. The heartache lingers. Many say ``Time will 
     heal''. I question ``When''? The longer they're gone, The 
     deeper I miss them. The cycle remains unbroken. . . . Unlike 
     my heart. Since my sweet Jon died, Mother's Day has been 
     difficult for me.

[[Page 6685]]

     Hopefully, this march will assist in soothing a wound that 
     will never heal and at the same time enlighten those who 
     haven't experienced first-hand the horror that guns 
     perpetuate.''--Chris McGowan, Philadelphia, AL
       ``On October 29, 1999, one of my daughters 14 year old 
     friends was killed by a 9mm hand gun. He was killed by 
     another friend who was playing around with the gun and 
     supposedly (accidentally) shot him in the back with the gun 
     while playing around with it. The boy who shot him has been 
     charged with reckless homicide. He doesn't go to trial until 
     August of this year. My daughter's friend died needlessly. 
     His name was Jeffery Alan Cole, who had his whole life in 
     front of him. He was an excellent student and excelled in 
     sports. Jeff is Loved and missed by all. There is not a day 
     that goes by that we don't think of him and how he should 
     have not died that October night. We still don't know who the 
     gun belonged to or how the other boy got it. The other boy 
     was 19 at the time of the shooting. Don't you have to be 21 
     to have a hand gun? He was not even charged with illegal 
     possession of a hand gun. We live in a county that is known 
     for the police not doing their job or a very good job. So now 
     we all wonder what will really happen at the trial. The boy 
     should not have even had the hand gun, but did. And as a 
     result, another life was taken. My daughter was there when 
     the shooting happened and has to live with that night for the 
     rest of her life. She is very much against hand guns just as 
     I am. You have mine and my daughters support!''--Caryn B. 
     Harpring, Hymera, IN
       ``I found out about the Million Mom March watching Rosie 
     O'Donnell. Then there was an article in our local newspaper. 
     The article ended with Margaret from MI saying she didn't 
     have a story and wanted to keep it that way. Those are my 
     feelings exactly. I'm horrified and saddened by the loss of 
     innocence every time I hear that a child's life is lost or 
     destroyed by a gun. I have been lucky so far but will my luck 
     continue? That's the question I ask every time I hear another 
     story. The saddest to me is that we hear these heart 
     wrenching stories and then we continue on with our lives as 
     usual but that MOM has to continue to live with it every day. 
     I don't want to be one of those MOMs!''--Donna Robb, Memphis, 
     TN
       ``Ten years ago my beautiful son, Andrew, killed himself 
     with a bullet to his brain. He was mentally ill and never 
     should have been able to buy a gun. I have been reading the 
     tapestry today, in tears over the stories by so many grieving 
     mothers who have also lost children or other loved ones. I 
     will be at the March with one of my daughters (also a 
     mother), because something has to bring Congress to its 
     senses. I have three beautiful granddaughters (3, 3 & 1\1/2\) 
     and I cannot bear the thought of them being exposed to a 
     society filled with guns--and the needless destruction they 
     cause.''--Glennys Christie, El Cerrito, CA
       ``On March 22, 2000, my son, Mark Allan Tilley, age 31, was 
     murdered in his apartment by an intruder that caught him 
     coming out of the shower. My son had just been released from 
     the hospital for an operation that he had on March 21st. I 
     believe that we must stop illegal gun sales. We must give 
     mandatory minimums to individuals that sell guns without the 
     transfer being known to local police--if that weapon is later 
     used in a crime. Buying guns for others should be outlawed 
     and that person should pay the price if the weapon is used in 
     a crime. My son was scheduled to marry his wife in a 
     traditional ceremony in her native country, Kenya in 
     September. And, his 11 year old son, Aaron, no longer has his 
     father. This ordeal has devastated my family and I do not 
     want these incidents to happen to any other family. ``Spread 
     Love, no guns!'' ''--Emily Tilley, Orlando, FL
       ``I'm lucky enough to never have lost someone to gun 
     violence. I'd like to keep it that way. It's time we stood up 
     to the gun lobby and to those cowards in Congress--the people 
     who are SUPPOSED to represent us but don't have the backbone 
     it takes to turn down the NRA's money and do what they know 
     is right. Get rid of the guns once and for all! We can make a 
     difference--together we can stop this horror.''--Karen, 
     Washington, DC
       ``As an employee at the Texas School for the Blind, I am 
     horrified at the alarming number of students we serve that 
     are blind and have suffered traumatic brain injury as a 
     result of gun shot wounds. The majority are either gang-
     related or accidential. I strongly support common sense gun 
     legislation and I am thrilled for the opportunity to be heard 
     at the march in Washington.''--Danna Wisnia, Austin, TX
       ``I would ask those people in the Gun Lobby who are opposed 
     to any reasonable gun legislation to watch the tapes of the 
     children of Columbine the day of their tragedy. Watch the 
     tapes of those small children being led out of the day care 
     center. Now as you watch, put your childrens' faces in those 
     videos. I cry to think of those beautiful angels having to 
     lose their innocence and their childhood. I cry for all of 
     us, because some of us are so busy protecting their right to 
     have guns they have forgotten about our childrens' rights to 
     be children. I will march for my children, my nieces and 
     nephews and their children to come.''--Diane Scheidt, Dumont, 
     NJ
       ``In March of 1978 my brother Dan Sweeney was shot to death 
     while on a business trip in Costa Massa CA. Dan and I were 
     raised in a small, safe town where gun violence was unheard 
     of. Nothing in my background prepared me for dealing with his 
     murder. Afterwards I helped pass a 7 day waiting period for 
     the purpose of a handgun in RI. I can't begin to tell you how 
     I was harassed by the NRA. These people do not care about the 
     safety of their fellow citizens. I was at one rally where 
     they tried to shout down Sarah Brady and Senator Claiborne 
     Pell. For people who claim to be so concerned about the 2nd 
     Amendment they showed little concern about the 1st. I am so 
     glad that this march has been organized. I will be marching 
     in memory of my big brother, Dan.''--Jane Sweeney, Warwick, 
     RI
       ``Mothers are a voice to be listened to. We need to use 
     that voice to make our country safe for our children and 
     their children. We need to raise that voice as one on 
     Mother's Day!''--Geneviere Lemire, Brownsville, VT
       ``My husband is a licensed gun owner and we are not anti-
     gun, but there must be gun control in America. It seems that 
     in the legislature only money talks. I am ashamed to be from 
     Tom DeLay's District here in Texas. He has no common sense 
     when it comes to guns. Why are there more controls on 
     automobiles than on guns. It's baffling.''--Katherine R. 
     Tizravesh, Sugar Land, TX
       ``This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference, the 
     gun--control issue is one we have felt passionately about for 
     a long time, but we haven't found a way to really voice our 
     support and I feel this MARCH will strengthen our beliefs, 
     and help us to unify our feelings and our country--and let 
     our elected officials realize this is a serious issue and as 
     parents--it is our moral obligation to protect our children--
     all children--We have a five year old daughter and a two-week 
     old son and we not only march for these children but for the 
     children of our community, our state, our country and our 
     world.--.thank you.''--Stephen and Renee Branham, Lexington, 
     KY
       ``I would have liked to have protected my mom too except 
     she committed suicide with a gun last year. It's too late for 
     her but not for my son. I would like to think she might have 
     been willing to get counseling if the ``easy way out'' had 
     not been available. I miss you, Mom, and will honor you on 
     Mother's Day this year by trying to stop this from happening 
     to anyone else.''--Cindy, Burke, VA
       ``The new poll that was just conducted is frightening . . . 
     . 35% of Americans with children have guns in their home, 48% 
     have them unlocked. What are we thinking! This march is a 
     necessity and people need to stand up for tougher gun laws! I 
     look forward to the march and look forward to doing any part 
     in protecting our children.''--Jocelyn Witt, Bethesda, MD
       ``As a Mom and an ER Nurse, who works in Baltimore City, 
     with one of the highest murder rates in the nation, I cannot 
     sit back and wait for someone else to do something, for the 
     sake for ALL our children, yours and mine, I challenge every 
     Mom and every ER nurse to gather together a few Moms and/or 
     ER nurses to March or support this effort in anyway they can, 
     see you in D.C.! United we stand!''--Pat Sullens, Joppatowne, 
     MD
       ``I am the grandmother of two. My grandchildren are very 
     young and not aware of the violent society that awaits them 
     as they get older. I am praying that rallies like this will 
     bring about positive change in our society. I ask myself how 
     we let things get so out of control. I applaud your efforts 
     to bring about change. It is never too late. Our elected 
     officials will hear our voices in Washington. Remind them 
     that we voted them in, we can, and will vote them out!!''--
     Gina, Randall, IA
       ``I do not have any children, however, I feel it is 
     EXTREMELY important to regulate guns. How many more children 
     and adults have to die before we demand the end of the NRA's 
     stronghold on Washington? I think all firearms should be 
     banned, but short of a miracle, reasonable gun laws must been 
     enacted.''--Whitney, Los Angeles, CA
       ``Finally--something to march about that should appeal to 
     all thinking, feeling Americans. What makes more sense than 
     the intelligent control of weapons in our homes, streets and 
     nation. We can respect our Constitution and show our common 
     sense at the same time. Let's go!''--Barbara, North 
     Attleboro, MA
       ``I cannot tell you how outraged I am that access to guns 
     is continually given precedence over savings children's (and 
     adults'!) lives. All people of conscience must stand together 
     to stop the NRA and those in the congress who vote with them 
     and thereby put all of our children at risk for their lives. 
     Enough. For the sake of my son, and other mother's sons, I 
     will not vote for anyone unable to provide gun control 
     leadership and I will contribute to defeat those who vote 
     against our kids. I take comfort in the fact that I am not 
     alone. Moms, it seems are hard to rouse, but we are many, 
     and, once roused, are a powerful force. Time to march.--Karen 
     Lawley, Lexington, MA.''--Karen R. Lawley, Lexington, MA
       ``When I was in the fifth grade, a student in my father's 
     Sunday School class was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot 
     during a ``game''

[[Page 6686]]

     of russian roulette at his friends home. I want my Dad's 
     student to know I remember him. When I was in high school, a 
     friend was killed by another friend who was showing her his 
     father's gun. I want Mary to know I remember her. I am now 42 
     and am a mother of a beautiful daughter. Many times I watch 
     her experience joy, I remember my two friends and their 
     families. On Mother's Day, my daughter will walk with me and 
     we will remember my friends and their families every step of 
     the way. After almost thirty years, I have found a way to 
     remember and honor my friends. I also have a way to feel like 
     I can do something so my daughter and her friends will be 
     safe.''--annemarie, Ithaca, NY
       ``Dear mothers of America, my love and support are with you 
     on Mother's Day in Washington. As Margaret Mead said, ``Never 
     doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens 
     can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever 
     has,'' ``--Susan McLoughlin, Peachland, CN
       ``It only happens to other people, right? But then there 
     was the early morning phone call telling me my younger 
     brother, the delight of our family, had been killed, one week 
     after he graduated from high school. He was shot with a gun 
     which his best friend kept loaded to protect himself as he 
     housesat. The ``killer'' was a 14-year-old girl who picked up 
     the gun to look at it. My brother, his friend, my family, the 
     girl and her family; the list of victims of that one gun goes 
     on. This march matters. Now that I'm a mom myself, it matters 
     even more. Thank you. ''--Patty, Vienna, VA
       ``On January 29, 1998, I lost my father to suicide. We 
     never even had a gun in the house growing up, and I'm sure a 
     moment of insanity put that gun into his hands. We never 
     learned where he got the gun. I can never bring back my 
     father, but I can help others think twice about what they do 
     with the guns they have and who they choose to sell them to. 
     Guns rob us of what is most near and dear to us. Enough is 
     enough.''--Tara Hlavinka, Severn, MD
       ``My brother was murdered by a man who had just been 
     released from a mental hospital with a diagnosis of paraniod 
     schizophrenic, but was able to buy a shotgun because no 
     background checks are necessary in our state for the purchase 
     of a shotgun. If a background check had been done on this 
     man, my brother, David, may still be alive today. David died 
     at the age of 6. The man who murdered him was my father, who 
     also killed himself. So my mother and I will be there on 
     Mother's Day to honor my brother's memory by trying to 
     prevent this tragedy from happening again.''--Jessica, PA
       ``I am a surviver. In 1975, at the age of 13, I was shot by 
     a 14 year old neighbor from his bedroom window. In the 
     suburbs, seemingly protected from violence, I almost died and 
     it is by a miracle of God that I can walk as the bullet 
     chipped my spine after going through several organs. Even at 
     13 years of age and even in 1975, it seemed clear to me that 
     owning a gun in one's home was asking for trouble. This boy 
     took his father's dismantled gun, put it together, and loaded 
     it for his use. I happened to be the victim. Today in 2000, 
     the violence has grown but the message is as clear as it was 
     to me and my family back in 1975. Guns are dangerous and 
     should, in no way, be made accessible to children.... and in 
     most instances, adults,''--Belle, Park Ridge, NJ
       ``Although I have not lost a child to violence, I am 
     tremendously affected by the loss of any child, of any race, 
     religion, or ethnic background. As a mom myself, I support 
     wholeheartedly this attempt to WAKE UP OUR NATION and to TAKE 
     A FIRM STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE. We are tired of being ruled by 
     those who tell us that we no longer have the authority to 
     teach our children RESPECT. We have lost the ability to 
     parent effectively--to teach our children to respect life 
     itself--to respect US...That is why guns are sought at such 
     early ages as the solution to problems. We want the 
     responsibility of raising our children brought back into the 
     home INSTEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT. We want to teach our children 
     the sanctity of love, life, and God without being afraid of 
     `upsetting' them.''--Jacquelyn E. Berry, Atlanta, GA
       ``I march to honor my children on the day they honor me. I 
     must add my voice with other mothers of this nation to 
     embrace peace and end the senseless fear of a young one at 
     the mercy of a gun as victim or perpetrator. May our voices 
     be heard!''--Mary Harger, Cleveland, OH
       ``I am a retired public school teacher and a mother of 2 
     twenty-something young adults. There are so many children I 
     care about. Finally, a way to express my concern about the 
     gun violence and what it is doing to our children. ``Thou 
     shalt not kill'' is not just some pretty phrase to be framed 
     on the wall! Life in the US gets more dangerous daily, if we 
     do not protect our children from those who value guns more 
     than children we are one sick society. Count me in!''--Cyndy, 
     Warwick, RI
       ``ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! How many more innocent children have to 
     die before the politicians get the message?! We gave life to 
     our children and now it's time to give life to change. We 
     have the courage and we have the right!''--Giselle, Seattle, 
     WA
       ``Grant those who wish to exercise it--the right to bear 
     the arms that our forefathers intended. Single shooter, 
     musket loaders, NOT guns which did not exist. FIRST, grant 
     all of us the rights in the First Amendment. Those rights 
     superseed what comes second. Our first right is the right to 
     Life (w/o being murdered with a gun), Liberty (the right to 
     safe passage on any street w/o being threatened w/ a gun) and 
     the pursuit of happiness (that which a Mom can do ONLY when 
     she knows her children are safe). Gun control NOW''--Laureen 
     Pepersack, Santa Fe, NM
       ``Our neighbor's 12 year old son killed himself with a gun 
     upstairs in his bedroom after the family finished dinner. He 
     had just gotten in small trouble and was sent to him room. In 
     a fit of teenage mad, which we all have experienced, he made 
     the rash decision to kill himself. The family was and is 
     still devastated. I believe if the current gun laws were 
     enforced we would see less death with guns. Instead, we are 
     forced to demand even more!--Kathy Frasier, Yelm, WA
       ``When the shooting occurred in Littleton, Co last year, my 
     then-9 year old came to me and asked, Mom, what can I do if 
     that happens in my school? What's the answer? Moms, we CAN 
     make the difference and protect our children. Certainly 
     Congress won't.''--Laurie Jerin, Madison, WI
       ``My daughter, who is 27, has just given me the best 
     Mother's Day gift--her company at the Moms' March in 
     Washington, D.C. My steps will be for all the children who 
     have died or been hurt by senseless gunfire, for their 
     parents and for the children whose lives will be safer when 
     this country finally lays down its weapons--or at least keeps 
     them away from children. If the gun-lovers in our midst think 
     they know anger because they are being asked to store and 
     handle guns safely, they should talk to a mother who has been 
     forced to bury her innocent child.''--Betsy Shea-Taylor, 
     Providence, RI
       ``There are so many interwoven issues, but one fact remains 
     true: WE ALL LOVE AND WANT TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN ALIVE!!! 
     Let's stop the killing of our loved ones.''--Michelle, N. 
     Huntingdon, PA
       ``NRA. * * * We ARE coming and we WILL defeat you. * * * 
     Smith and Wesson was only the first dominoe. The power 
     belongs to the people, not the gun lobby''--Joyce Baird, 
     Chapel Hill, NC
       ``When I was child, we were at our grandparents house for a 
     family get together. My cousin, who was probably only 2 or 3 
     years of age, went into my grandparents room and grabbed a 
     hand pistol from the night stand on my grandfather's side of 
     the bed. We were fortunate * * * it was not loaded. How many 
     close calls does it take? A good friend of mine from high 
     school took his own life by shooting himself in the head 
     while sitting in the kitchen of his parents house talking to 
     his girlfriend on the phone. How many friends must die? I am 
     now a mother of 2 boys a 2 yr old and an 8 week old. I cringe 
     at the thought of sending them off to school, because even 
     though they will know it is never bad enough to take a life * 
     * * who is to know if the others will be taught the same.''--
     Kristin Vance, Omaha, NE
       ``The chain of preschool children walking across the street 
     in Los Angeles brought tears to a room full of people. This 
     scene did it for me. The craziness of the gun lobby has got 
     to stop and people with good common sense need to prevail. We 
     must have more controls on guns and their owners, NOW!''--
     Roxanne Hallquist, Protland, OR
       ``There can no better way to celebrate Mother's Day than by 
     marching to show our love for our children. I thank God each 
     day that I am blessed with two beautiful Boys!''--Mary 
     Schwander, New Hope, PA
       ``I've just finished reading Tapestry and I am deeply 
     saddened because I didn't think so many people felt the same 
     pain that my family did six years ago. My 19 year old nephew 
     was murdered, leaving behind a newborn daughter who will grow 
     up never knowing her father. Sure she'll see pictures of him 
     and hopefully understand what she's told about him, but it 
     won't be the same. Helen Ready sings, ``I am woman hear me 
     roar, in numbers too big to ignore,'' well the roar will be 
     deafening on May 14th when a million moms come together and I 
     intend to be one of them!''--C, Chicago, IL
       ``Finally, an organization which is not motivated by 
     political pandering and that is willing to step forward and 
     to let their voices be heard and to mobilize for sensible 
     common sense gun laws--The Million Mom March. I live in New 
     York City and have a teenage daughter who attended public 
     high school in the City. Additionally, I spent 7 years 
     working in the Dept. of Juvenile Justice setting and know 
     only too well the horrible toll that guns are taking on our 
     children. Now I am in law school and as a mom and a concerned 
     citizen and a student at a law school that is profoundly 
     motivated by the public interest, I think my duty is clear. 
     We see you on May 14th.''--Colleen Richman--Colleen Richman, 
     Bronx, NY
       ``Thank you for finally giving me a voice to ask our 
     leaders in Congress to please enact stricter gun control 
     laws. I ask on behalf of a 12 year old boy named bill McGuire 
     who was accidentally shot and killed by his 16 year old 
     brother in 1962. Bill was one of my best friends in 
     elementary school here in Washington, D.C. I was only 12 
     myself and

[[Page 6687]]

     never know how his brother had gotten the gun. His brother 
     thought he had taken all the bullets out of the gun. The two 
     boys were playing around when his brother aimed the gun point 
     blank at Bill and pulled the trigger. Bill was shot in the 
     chest and died. I have mourned this friend ever since that 
     terrible day in 1962. I have one picture of him that I keep 
     to this day. I feel it keeps him alive somehow. I wonder how 
     he would have turned out, who he would have become, if his 
     life had not been taken so tragically. My message to our 
     President and Congressional leaders is simply this: Please 
     make it your number one priority to enact and enforce 
     stricter gun laws. The American people don't care about 
     campaign finance reform. We care about the violence on our 
     streets, in our schools and in our homes. The time has come 
     for you to take action and get the guns out of the hands of 
     criminal repeat offenders and out of easy reach of our 
     nation's children. There is no more urgent problem facing 
     America today.''--Rebecca Lambert, Bowie, MD
       ``My cousin was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to 
     the head when he was 16 years old. His mother still defends 
     the right to have a gun in her house although `no one knows 
     where they are'. This was the first thing that came to mind 
     as I heard about the Million Mom March. My aunt and I agree 
     to disagree but I cannot understand how anyone after having 
     lost a child in such a tragic way would still want them in 
     her house. There were other circumstances regarding the 
     shooting because he was in an altered state at the time of 
     the shooting but if the gun had not been in the house, he 
     would most likely still be here today, possibly raising a 
     family as I am right now.''--Heather, South Jersey, NJ
       ``Like Millions of other Moms. I have felt so helpless in 
     the face or relentless news stories relating yet another . . 
     . and another . . . senseless incident of violence involving 
     guns. As the anniversary of Columbine approaches and we 
     reflect on that bitter day--and on all the killings in 
     between--let us all renew our commitment to mobilize for 
     common sense gun laws in this beloved country of ours. And 
     THANK YOU, Million Mom March, for giving us an avenue of hope 
     in which to channel our energies. Another ``Mom''--Kathleen 
     Brahney, Arlington, VA
       ``Despite the validity of our constitution as the backbone 
     of our great democracy, the patriots who wrote it would burn 
     their words if they knew that 200+ years later innocent 
     children would be dying because of the second amendment. We 
     must honor the spirit of the constitution which was written 
     to protect citizens against outdated, tyrannical laws.''--
     Barbara Raphael, Haddonfield, NJ
       ``IF SOMEBODY DRIVES A CAR, EVEN PERFECTLY, BUT WITHOUT A 
     DRIVING LICENSE WILL BE ARRESTED. IF SOMEBODY CARRY HIS GUN 
     IN PUBLIC, EVEN WITHOUT KNOWING HOW TO USE IT, WILL BE FREE. 
     WHAT AN ABSURD WAY OF THINKING. YOU NEED SCHOOL AND EXAMS TO 
     DRIVE BUT YOU DON'T NEED NEITHER LICENSE NOR TESTS TO CARRY A 
     GUN. IS A CAR MORE DANGEROUS THAN A GUN?--MILLO MAZZOLENI, 
     NEW YORK, NY
       ``I feel so empowered where I once felt I had no power. We 
     can make a difference now, before it is too late. We have to 
     end this today, so there is no tomorrow of tears and 
     questions of ``WHY?''. I applaud the organizers of Million 
     Mom March and I will continue to play an active part to 
     protect our children.''--Donna Pappe, Louisville, KY
       ``The Million Mom March is the first organization that I 
     have seen to protect the children of our nation against 
     accidental murder. I would like to see guns banned from every 
     home that a child lives in.''--Elizabeth Battle, Missouri 
     City, TX
       ``Today in our local newspaper I read these disturbing 
     statistics: in one year firearms killed NO children in Japan, 
     19 in Great Britain, 57 in Germany, 109 in France, 153 in 
     Canada and 5,285 in our UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. There is a 
     gun store within 2 blocks of my affluent neighborhoods, and 
     every time I pass it I become angry. It is time for the NRA 
     to stop hiding behind the United States Constitution and 
     realize that times have changed. We have created an 
     atmosphere in this Country where our children have been 
     desensitized to the horror of violence. These children have 
     felt the reality of violence. That is why the horrified looks 
     on their faces as we see them run from the schools, churches 
     and other ``safe places'' disturb us so. I have banned my 
     children who are 15 and 14 from bringing any violent video 
     game into our home, which up to the recent shooting of a six 
     year old first grader was allowed. I will take a stand to try 
     to teach my children that killing is not a game, guns are 
     dangerous in the wrong hands, and I ask all you parents 
     reading this to do the same. Our children are OUR 
     responsibility, and it's time to take a stand.''--Kathy 
     Halbeisen, Reading, PA
       ``I have just read all of Tapestry & will never be the 
     same. But please, PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS ENERGY END WITH THE 
     MARCH. VOTE!! We must get the Tom Delay's out of office. We 
     must keep working until the House and the Senate again belong 
     to us!! Please, when you return to your home, don't stop the 
     fight, don't let the energy end . . .''--PJ Bowling, Las 
     Vegas, NV
       ``In 1954 my father was seriously wounded on the floor of 
     the U.S. House of Representatives by a terrorist with a hand 
     gun. I was quite young then, but I do remember that both 
     houses of congress voted pretty quickly to create very strong 
     security measures to protect themselves and to ensure that 
     that kind of incident would not happen again. Why would they 
     not do the same for the innocent children and others? I am 
     happy to be a part of the Million Mom March and will 
     certainly do what I can to spread the word among my 
     community. See you all on Mothers' Day, 2000.''--Helen 
     Bentley, Strasburg, VA
       ``I am a mother of 3 boys, ages 15, 11 and 2. I cannot 
     believe that the NRA won't budget on the simplest law of 
     having a waiting period for registering for guns. If most of 
     the people buying guns were getting them for legitimate 
     reasons why would they mind having background checks or 
     waiting periods? I fully believe in child locks also. Are the 
     members so lazy and dumb that they cannot figure them out? 
     There are too many children being killed by guns that have 
     been stolen or that careless people leave around loaded. 
     There needs to be changes in the laws. How would an NRA 
     member feel if this happened to one of their children? I 
     worry about my children and everyone elses everyday with this 
     violent society. Let's all make a difference in 
     Washington!''-Lisa, Kresgeville, PA
       ``I am a 42 year old mother with 2 sons ages 11 and 14. My 
     husband is a big hunter and my boys have been involved in 
     some sort of ``hunting activity'' from the time they were 6 
     or 7 years old. When our 14 year was 12 he took a ``Hunter's 
     Education'' class where he had to pass a test before he could 
     be issued a license to hunt. My husband said this would help 
     him to be a safe hunter. The actual thought of him having a 
     rifle in his possession really bothers me. My husband wants 
     to buy our son his own rifle. I told him no way!! One day 
     last year my 11 year old was playing in our bedroom while I 
     was on the phone. I heard him say ``Mommy look!!'' and when I 
     turned around he had the rifle barrel pointed straight at my 
     face and cocked the gun to shoot. I had never been so sick 
     and frightened in my entire life. Thank God that there was no 
     shell in that rifle. I can not even imagine what my childs 
     life would be like today had that rifle gone off. I have 
     asked my husband to take all the rifles out of our home and 
     he did for a few months and now they're right back in our 
     bedroom. I respect the fact that my husband loves to hunt but 
     I feel that he does not respect the boys and me for not 
     taking the rifles and danger out of our home. I want to be a 
     part of this March and would like different Mom's from San 
     Antonio to get together if they would like to start a March 
     here in S.A. It is very important to me that gun control is 
     enforced in an extreme way!!! Isn't that the way of this 
     Millinnium, that everything is EXTREME? Why are we not 
     totally extreme about our children's safety? There is 
     something seriously wrong here and we need to be heard!!!! I 
     work in a High School and the other day a co-worker gave me 
     this e-mail she had received from someone and I would like to 
     share it with you, it says volumes . . . Student: Dear God, 
     Why weren't you at Columbine the day of the shootings and 
     stop all the terror? God: Because they won't let me in. LET'S 
     BE HEARD!!!! Cathy Aschbacher, San Antonio, Texas''--Cathy 
     Aschbacher, San Antonio, TX
       ``As a responsible gun owner, I applaud all that you stand 
     for. I cringe when I hear any news from the extreme minds at 
     the NRA standing in the way of any sensible legislation. I 
     firmly believe that if someone is willing to lay down 
     hundreds of dollars, they can also spend the $5 that a simple 
     trigger lock costs. That $5 investment can save the lives of 
     our kids. Trigger locks should be mandatory, and there is no 
     logical reason not to use one.''--Mark Thoms, Hoffman 
     Estates, IL
       ``I'm a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, having hunted and 
     fished for more than 40 years. I want something done to stop 
     this madness. Please help people understand that handguns are 
     good for nothing but killing PEOPLE. I have two precious 
     grandchildren. I want something better for them. I'm 
     obviously not a mom, but my thoughts will be with you.''--
     Dave Gilmore, Shawnee, OK
       ``Five years ago, my daughter was 10 and the only witness 
     to a shooting!!! Your simple changes in handgun control are 
     needed NOW!!! As a Mom, a woman, a person--I am sick of all 
     the senseless shootings!! Hoorah for the MARCH!!''--Cheryl, 
     Omaha, NE
       ``I am so tired of the politicians and the excuses. Stop it 
     now. If you want to hunt . . . ok, but an AD-47 or a handgun? 
     These are weapons that are used for one purpose. To kill 
     humans. As a principal of a elementary school the fight to 
     stop the violence is very difficult. The hands of the NRA are 
     covered in the blood of children''--Mike, Philadelphia, PA
       ``Bobby Kennedy's most famous phrase was ``Some people see 
     things as they are and ask why, I dream things that never 
     were and ask why not?'' John F. Kennedy said ``ask not what 
     your country can do for you but what you can do for your 
     country, let the word go forth from this time and place to 
     friend and

[[Page 6688]]

     foe alike that the torch has been passed to a new generation 
     of Americans born in this century proud of our heritage and 
     unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those 
     human rights etc.'' well we as mothers are responsible for 
     the next generation and if we don't do something now we will 
     not have another generation. We can do it on May 14, 
     2000.''--Diana Barrowcliff, Claymont, DE
       ``I can't describe the feeling inside as I sat and nursed 
     my son while watching the horror of Columbine on the TV. I 
     kept saying to myself as I held my son a little tighter, 
     ``something has got to be done . . . I've got to get involved 
     . . .'' I read about the MMM in Parenting Magazine and 
     decided this was something I really wanted to be a part of, 
     for the sake of my son and the rest of my family. Without 
     hesitation, my mother joined me as we make plans for a 
     Mother's Day like no other . . . one we will never forget . . 
     . one when we stand up and say we are one of a million!!''--
     Karie, Virginia Beach, VA
       ``I am a mother and middle school counselor. I live in a 
     community where poverty and violence is all too prevelant. 
     There are many issues to deal with in preventing the problems 
     we are experiencing today . . . children must learn how to 
     handle conflict peacefully; they must be taught to be 
     tolerant and respect the differences of others; they must be 
     flooded with opportunities to be involved in positive 
     activities. However, to keep our children safe, until the 
     societal issues are tackled, we MUST have comprehensive gun-
     control reform . . . including mandatory on-site checks and 
     child safety locks for ALL guns!''--Karen Faircloth, Cordele, 
     GA
       ``Your organization is the answer to my prayers. My 
     husband, a Chicago police officer was shot and killed with a 
     semi automatic equipped with a lazer site. I sure you already 
     know that the March coincides with National Police Week in 
     Washington. My entire family will be there to honor my 
     husband and we want to join your March. Please let us know 
     where and when.''--Joan Knight, Chicago, IL
       ``My cousin Christopher was killed by a friend while 
     playing cops and robbers. His friend went into the house, 
     grabbed his fathers gun, and not knowing it was loaded, shot 
     and killed Christopher. I was young when it happened, but it 
     has made a profound impact on my life. I am a mom now also 
     and I fear for my son everyday he goes to school or plays at 
     someone else's home. We need to be sensible about our guns 
     America! Our children are the ones we are killing.''--
     Jennifer, Milwaukee, WI
       ``I have been angry long enough without doing something 
     about it. Charlton Heston's latest ads for the NRA are the 
     final straw. I am not only a mother, but due to become a 
     grandmother in May. I can think of no better way to spend 
     Mother's Day this year!''--Christine E. Gaithersburg, MD
       ``It makes me sick that in this country we ``love'' our 
     guns more than we love our children!''--Peg McCabe-Ashlevitz, 
     Walled Lake, MI
       ``I am so thrilled that this is happening and that so many 
     people with common sense will be coming together to 
     collectively tell Congress ``We have had it--our children 
     deserve more from us''. Thank you to the folks that have 
     worked to make this event possible. I am going to make sure 
     all my neighbors and friends know--I found out through a 
     friend--you cant beat word of mouth. Lets all tell the NRA 
     what we really think of them and their antiquated notions 
     that put our children in danger every single day. Enough is 
     Enough!''--G. Perez, Annandale, VA
       ``It is so long over due that we, as Moms fight back 
     against the likes of the NRA. They have been the bullies on 
     the block for far too long. We need to show our children how 
     to stand-up and make a difference.''--Elaine Covert, Toledo, 
     OH
       ``I got angry when I heard that triggers can be made to 
     work with only the owners fingerprint! The gun manufacturers 
     have the technology to make smarter guns and they will not 
     make safer, SMARTER guns until we force them to through 
     legislation. As an RN, I feel gun violence is a national 
     health care crisis. SEE YOU IN D.C.''--sue ann sullivan, 
     nashua, NH
       ``As a native Coloradan, an Air Force Family Child Care 
     provider, and most importantly a mother, I feel a tremendous 
     responsibility to participate in the Million Mom March. With 
     every mass shooting that occurs in this country--a fire burns 
     within me and now I have the opportunity to make a difference 
     with an incredible group of woman. I can no longer sit and 
     wait for the ``pro-gun'' population to come to their senses--
     I will make the march with my fellow mothers and we will be 
     heard from every pawn shop to Capitol Hill.''--Tillie Sanchez 
     Elvrum, Cheyenne, WY
       ``It is difficult-to-impossible to reason with NRA 
     supporters, or to out-spend the NRA lobbyists. BUT THERE IS 
     STRENGTH, and HOPE, in NUMBERS. YOU GO!!!!''--William K., 
     Edina, MN
       ``What does it say about our country when we have to hold a 
     march to save our children? To some it says we are a country 
     of non-caring people. On the contrary, we must care deeply. 
     To say that our children are not worth the effort is a slap 
     in the face to every one of them. They are our future, our 
     whole reason for being. If we do not care for them, who will 
     care for us?''--Gwen Neiderheiser, Tampa, FL
       ``I am saddened by the political rhetoric of our current 
     election candidates . . . men running scared from the NRA. I 
     am tremendously thankful that in the last sentence of an NPR 
     (National Public Radio) broadcast on gun control this past 
     week, I heard of the Million Mom March . . . count me in! 
     Let's make a difference ladies, our lives and our children's 
     futures depend on getting our society under control. No where 
     in the world are there greater freedoms than here in the US. 
     Unfortunately they are abused and misused by the political 
     machine of our times. Common sense and passion for life and 
     safety should be our watchwords. Let's all work together to 
     make the difference we so desire!''--Sue Hill, Issaquah, WA
       ``I thought with the coming election if I just voted on the 
     right candidate new gun laws would come into effect. I now 
     realize that getting votes is more important to them then a 
     child's life. It's our turn to stand up to Congress and tell 
     them to protect the future of America!!''--Amanda, Portland, 
     OR
       ``CONGRESS . . . SHAME ON YOU!!! Do what you were put in 
     office to do or you will be voted out! We are WATCHING you 
     and know how you vote . . . AND this one issue (for the first 
     time in my life) will be the deciding factor on how I vote in 
     EVERY ELECTION FROM THIS POINT ON. Have the GUTS to take a 
     stand AGAINST the NRA and anyone else because this is the 
     BEST thing to do for the future of American children. Where 
     is your personal ``line in the sand''??? I hold each and 
     every one of you RESPONSIBLE for every child that is killed. 
     If you cannot do your job . . . then LEAVE. I am ashamed of 
     you all!!!!''--Karen Gordon, Livonia, MI
       ``If only for the politics and the fear of losing a job 
     over doing what is right could be overcome, I continue to 
     pray for this. Too bad the fathers of our nation can't get as 
     passionate about this issue. I offer my prayers for every 
     single mother who has lost a loved one to this kind of 
     violence, regardless of age. I also dedicate time to pray for 
     the safe trip, and return, to their families during your 
     speaking out. Since this is for mothers, I still want to show 
     my support.''--Greg, Redford, MI
       ``Mothers need to stand up to the greedy legislators 
     beholden to the NRA. It's time to say ``No More'' to the 
     senseless slaughter of our children and our nation. We are 
     far from powerless. They don't get elected without the 
     woman's vote. We are the nurturers that give life, not take 
     it away. Whether a mother is a Christian Conservative 
     Republican or a Liberal Democrat, she cannot be worthy of 
     that most revered title unless her first priority is to 
     protect America's children.''--Patti DiTuri, Marietta, GA
       ``I do not understand why legislators, who have their own 
     children and grandchildren, are reluctant to require safety 
     locks on guns! Think how many lives that would save when 
     unwitting children find guns in the house! I will carefully 
     scrutinize all candidates in this election year 2000 to 
     determine their stand on safety and guns. I urge everyone who 
     reads this site to do so too! If we can save just one child 
     from being killed by another child, we will have accomplished 
     much!''--Ina Burwasser, Elkins Park, PA
       ``My husband is a gun owner and a member of the NRA, but 
     even he agrees that there is nothing unreasonable about 
     trigger locks and background checks. My daughter is 2 years 
     old and i fear for the day that I have to send her off to 
     school. I'm sick and tired of being afraid. Even though I 
     won't be at the March in DC, I will be contributing 
     generously to the cause. It is a darn good one.''--Dawn N., 
     Lake Villa, IL
       ``With the Presidential election coming soon, please choose 
     very carefully which candidate you select. The position that 
     each candidate takes on the issue of gun control will affect 
     us and our children for the next years. My child is the most 
     important thing in my life and I want her to have a happy 
     worry-free childhood. Guns and violence are taking away any 
     innocence left in our children. Please stand up for the 
     children. Please protect the most precious things in our 
     lives.''--Jennifer, Apex, NC
       ``Our legislators ``care'' enough about children to make 
     vaccinations for chicken pox mandatory for entry to daycares 
     or public schools. Yet they don't care enough about our 
     children or our families to spend the same amount of energy 
     to address gun violence which kills far more people. 
     Astounding isn't it?''--Jeanne, Mansfield, MA
       ``I was 10 years old when I watched my 12 year old brother 
     inspect my dad's LOCKED UP gun. Three days later, I watched 
     my brother's funeral. We MUST do something to stop this. I 
     now have a son who is 11. I am very scared for him to even go 
     to school. I know first hand that it CAN happen to you. In 
     Memory of my brother and best Friend, Tim Polhamus.''--Kathy 
     Polhamus Wolak, Troy, MI
       ``The argument that we have a ``right'' to bear arms seems 
     to be that we need these guns to ``protect'' ourselves, yet, 
     the vast majority of law abiding citizens are not protected 
     by this ``right''. They are, quite simply, endangered by it. 
     The silent majority in

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     this country needs to get loud on this one! Protect our 6 
     year olds! Protect all our children! We need gun control 
     NOW.''--Geneva Bosak, Charlotte, NC
       ``Our elected officials will listen to only one thing--
     votes. Women have to vote for the candidates (at the state 
     and national level) that commit to support legislation that 
     meets our goals. For me this is an issue for which I'm 
     willing to become a single-issue voter!''--Jennifer, 
     Bethesda, MD
       ``Today the news of a young child killing another arrived 
     at the same time as an appeal for money from the NRA! I can't 
     say which made me sicker. I will go to Denver and march there 
     for safe, sane gun control! COMBINED our voices will mean 
     something!''--Vanessa Woodford, Dillon, CO
       ``How many children must die before this country decides to 
     take action?? I think it is in the hands of mothers to take 
     up this cause and protect our children. Look at the changes 
     that MADD was able to bring about! Let's do the same with gun 
     control!''--Karen, Simsbury, CT
       ``I thought for a long time about all the reasons that I'm 
     involved in the MMM. But the one that resinates the loudest 
     is GRATITUDE. My son and daughter both graduated from High 
     School in 95'. And although I in no way believe that they are 
     free from the dangers of gun violence, I am profoundly 
     grateful that they survived that stage of their lives. I 
     recently read a quote by Anne Morrow Lindbergh that says, 
     ``One can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay in kind 
     somewhere else in life.'' I moved to Littleton almost two 
     years ago and this is my ``somewhere else in life''.--
     Carmelita Garcia-Konrad, Littleton, CO
       ``Our children look to their parents for protection. What 
     are we suppose to tell them when we can't? Who are we suppose 
     to go to for help? It is the job of EVERY citizen in this 
     country and EVERY government official to make sure our 
     children are safe. Stricter gun laws are only meant to do ONE 
     thing....PROTECT OUR CHILDREN! I am asking the government to 
     please step up to the plate and protect them...after all 
     aren't some of you parents too?''--Cindy Leberman, 
     Bridgewater, NJ
       ``The message to congress is this--we want tight gun 
     control, NOW, or you will be voted out of office. Vote with 
     your bodies on Mothers' Day, and inundate congress with 
     letters, e-mails, and phone calls today. Tell them--change 
     the laws or we'll change the lawmakers.''--Kate Beysselance, 
     Arlington, VA
       ``We must make common sense gun policy a populist mandate. 
     The cynical federal and state legislators would rather reach 
     into the deep pockets than protect our children. We can make 
     enough of a commotion that they cannot continue to flaunt our 
     will. See you at the Million Mom March!''--Catherine J. 
     Moynihan, McLean, VA
       ``It is 4 a.m. and my daughter had that terrifying dream 
     again...the one about the man with the gun..``he'd already 
     shot you and Dad, Mom..and now he's coming for me''. Was my 
     daughter affected by Columbine? I was! Sydney and I will be 
     there in DC to march on Mother's Day. DAD too! PEACE.''--
     Victoria Dym, Pittsburgh, PA
       ``My daughter survived Columbine, but looking into the 
     faces of the parents that night who had not found their 
     children was the hardest thing I've ever done. Although guns 
     were not the only equation, how can we not do what we can to 
     prevent this from happening again? How can gun commerce be 
     more important than the lives and safety of our children? How 
     can we face them and not say that we have done all we can to 
     protect them?''--B. Adams, Littleton, CO
       ``I have been a midwife for 25 years and have been 
     privileged to be at the births of over one thousand babies. I 
     am outraged that these precious children can be shot in the 
     streets of our country while members of Congress turn their 
     backs on families, extend their hands to the gun lobby for 
     money and espouse ``family values.'' Together we will finally 
     end this violence.''--Marion McCartney, Washington, DC
       ``I think that this is really great! I am in full support 
     of this. My nephew was killed by gun violence two years ago 
     leaving behind a little brother and now its time for me to 
     stand up and protect him and keep him safe. Not just him but 
     all the children of the world! A change has to be made right 
     NOW!''--Lisa Southern, Temple Hills, MD
       ``Come on ladies, put your money where your mouth is, and 
     support this cause. Every Body counts in DC. Make the 
     decision to get to there, no matter what it takes, instead of 
     thinking about it.''--My kid's Mom, Montclair, NJ
       ``My father was murdered outside his place of business last 
     January. Everyday I look at my two-year-old son and wonder 
     how someday I will try to explain to him the horror that 
     stole away my innocence about gun violence forever. It's time 
     to raise our voices against this insanity. . . . NOW!''--
     Rabbi Joel Mosbacher, Atlanta, GA
       ``How many children have to die in this country before 
     congress takes action? I sincerely believe that if the 
     majority of this body of elected representatives were women 
     that this problem would have been addressed long, long 
     ago.''--Melanie Fernandez, Dunedin, FL
       ``On November 30th, 1999 the husband of my cousin Barbara 
     shot and killed her and their 13-year-old daughter in cold 
     blood, with a legally owned handgun. Enough is enough. No 
     more deaths. Take the toys away from the boys.''--Nicole 
     Whitman, Queens, NYC, NY
       ``A persons right to own a gun does not supercede a childs 
     right to live.''--Gloria Michalski, Hammond, IN
       ``My 8 month old son has become my life's inspiration. When 
     he was born, my mother said to me ``Los quieren tantos que ni 
     quieres que el viento les pegue.'' Translation: You love them 
     so much that you don't even want the wind to hit them.'' She 
     was right. On Mother's Day 2000 I will march with my mother 
     and my three sisters, along with our husbands and children to 
     say to Congress ``Ya Basta! Enough is enough!'' There is no 
     love like that of a mother, and our passion will be our 
     ``weapon'' against intransigent purveyors of violence and 
     destruction.''--Victoria R. Ballesteros, Los Angeles, CA
       ``This fight has been going on silently for far too long. 
     The focus has gone away from childrens safety to politics. I 
     am honored to be a part of the million mom march and do so 
     because, as the mother of four children (ages 15 to 1) it is 
     my responsibility to do everything within my power to ensure 
     a safe future for them and their families. Millions of us 
     will be unstoppable.''--Jacquie Cofer, Jupiter, FL
       ``I am petrified every day that my children leave our home 
     to go to school because in Louisiana EVERYONE (but us, it 
     seems) has guns and hunts. My older son tells me that all of 
     the kids in his 6th grade class hunt with guns. I am not ok 
     with that as a mom or as an American.
       Responsible gun laws means waiting periods, limits on sale 
     AND limits on the ages of those using them. NO CHILD SHOULD 
     USE A GUN. Any parent who says they want to teach correct use 
     of guns to a child is asking for trouble and putting my child 
     at risk. I am with MMM 100% as a woman, mom, social worker, 
     and human being!''--Barbara Pierce, Natchitoches, LA
       ``A close friend of mine once found a little boy that had 
     been accidentally shot in the head by a friends' dads' gun. 
     To this day she will never in a million years forget what it 
     felt like to have that little boy tug and pull at her shirt 
     during his last few moments alive. Had there been a trigger-
     lock on that firearm his life could've been saved. . . . As 
     well as so many others . . .''--Angelique, Imperial Beach, CA
       ``As a physician assistant, I have had ample opportunity to 
     see just what a bullet, fired by a gun, does to human flesh. 
     Believe me, it is thoroughly disgusting, wholly obscene, 
     sinful. Now, relate that description to the body of a child. 
     Lastly, think of your own child . . .
       Do you still want to do nothing?''--Patricia Hoppen, 
     Saugerties, NY
       ``At 16 years old I was shot while babysitting and suffered 
     permanent damage to my wrist. Now that I have a one month old 
     son I want to insure that he, or any other child, doesn't 
     suffer as I did.''--Carol, Alpharetta, GA
       ``We have been quiet for too long. I'm tired of watching 
     the NRA dictate arms control. I think there are more of us 
     than them, and we need to get more vocal about it.''--
     Stephanie, NY
       ``As a former ER nurse, never once did I see a robber shot 
     by a home owner! All of the shootings were by people who knew 
     each other.''--Ivy, PA

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