WASSERMAN SCHULTZ STATEMENT ON GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY

Pembroke Pines, FL– U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement today in observance of Gun Violence Awareness Day:

“Today marks what would have been Hadiya Pendleton’s 19th birthday. She marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade, and tragically lost her life to gun violence one week later. On Gun Violence Awareness Day, we join together to yet again sound the alarm on the public health crisis of gun violence. No one should have to fear gun violence while spending time in a public park, going to school, or visiting their doctor.

“Unfortunately, the disappointing and pathetic reality is that Congressional Republicans continue to vote in lockstep with the National Rifle Association to uphold and expand a variety of laws that make it far too easy for the wrong people to use firearms to cut lives short and tear apart communities. As a mother, it breaks my heart to know that too many of my colleagues are unable or unwilling to muster the courage necessary to fix this crisis and protect more of our kids and families – but their cowardice will not stop me from using my vote and my voice to help keep more Americans safe from gun violence.”

###