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And Still I Rise: Those Who Tolerate Gun Violence Perpetuate It

Floor Speech

By: Al Green
By: Al Green
Date: June 8, 2022
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, and still I rise. I rise today with a message of grave concern, especially for those who have suffered in Uvalde, Texas, with reference to the slaughter that took place there, the mass murders.

But I do have something that gives me some degree of hope. I have an open letter that was published in The Dallas Morning News that I would like the share. I would like to read some excerpts from the letter. It is styled: ``An Open Letter Supporting Senator John Cornyn and Gun Safety Measures.''

It reads in part:

We, the undersigned, are conservatives, mostly from Texas and our friends from other States, outdoor and gun enthusiasts. We vote for Republican Senators. We believe in the Second Amendment.

It goes on to read:

We are especially encouraged that Senator Cornyn is focusing on two vital ways to improve gun safety: red flag law and expanding background checks.

We are also hopeful that the momentum building for those two changes may also spur consideration of raising the age to purchase a gun to 21, which we believe is another important step in curbing gun violence.

They close with:

There are many of us across these great United States. We are organizing. Please join us.

I thank them, the conservatives, gun enthusiasts, and those who support Senators. I want to thank them for this open letter because this issue of gun violence is one that we have to have a collective response to. The politicians alone will not solve this problem.

I respect my colleagues and the political order. I happen to be one of them. But I know that there has to be some input from the influentials of the world, the chambers of commerce and the businesses communities.

So I encourage the business communities to do as these businesspersons have done: Take a stand, a public stand. Take a stand for justice. Take a stand for these children. Take a stand against mass murders. Please take a stand. Those who tolerate this perpetuate it.

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