WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released a statement on Friday marking June 2nd as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. People across the country are participating in the “Wear Orange” campaign today in honor of Hadiya Pendleton – a 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed in 2013 just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade – and the more than 90 lives cut short by gun violence every day.

“I’m wearing orange today because I stand with families all across this country who’ve had to deal with the unbearable reality of losing a loved one to gun violence,” said Murphy. “I hope we can shine some light on the simple reforms, like expanded background checks, that Congress needs to enact to keep our kids safe. I’ll never stop fighting on behalf of these families to end gun violence.”

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