HARTFORD – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) in introducing a resolution in the House and Senate establishing the weekend of June 7-9, 2019, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend” and designating June as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month.”  

“The ongoing epidemic of gun violence is a public health emergency – a tragic recognition that brings us together for Nation Gun Violence Awareness Month. No community is immune to this epidemic, causing unspeakable pain and loss in Connecticut and across the country,” said Blumenthal. “Thoughts and prayers alone are insufficient. We must commit to passing commonsense measures to end gun violence -- measures that an overwhelming majority of Americans are demanding we enact -- and stop listening to the extremist gun lobby whose political grip is breaking.”

“Gun violence has devastated too many communities and torn apart too many families. Kids don’t feel safe at school. People fear that their next trip to the movies or their place of worship will be their last,” said Murphy. “Until Republicans in Congress stop blocking action on legislation like my background checks bill that would save lives, we have to keep up the pressure on Congress. I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this resolution declaring June ‘National Gun Violence Awareness Month’ and calling on Americans to wear orange on ‘National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend’ in Hadiya Pendleton’s memory.”

Every day in America, an average of around 300 men, women, and children are shot, nearly one-third of them fatally.  Establishing a month to bring attention to the issue of gun violence honors the thousands of Americans who are victims of gun violence every year, including Hadiya Pendleton who was shot and killed in Chicago, Illinois, on January 29, 2013.  Hadiya would have celebrated her 22nd birthday this June.  The resolution also urges citizens and community leaders to concentrate heightened attention on gun violence during the month of June, when gun violence typically spikes at the start of the summer months, and to work together to make our communities safer.  

Along with Blumenthal, Murphy, Durbin and Duckworth, U.S. Senators cosponsoring the resolution include: U.S.), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA),, Patty Murray (D-WA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). 

Along with Kelly, U.S. Representatives cosponsoring the resolution include: Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL-26), Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI-At-large), Lacy Clay (D-MO-01), and Danny Davis (D-IL-07).

Gun violence is an issue that affects communities in every state across the country.  Each year, more than 36,000 people in America are killed and 100,000 are injured by gunfire.  

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