“I encourage Americans to wear orange on June 5th”
MATTESON, Ill. (June 2, 2020) – Congresswoman Robin Kelly introduced a Congressional resolution establishing June 5, 2020 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and designating June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
“While COVID-19 has halted much of our nation,” she wrote in a June 1 email, “it tragically has not stopped gun violence in our communities. Every day, 300 Americans are shot and nearly 100 will die. By bringing attention to this issue, we can create positive policy change that saves lives. These two pieces of legislation are just first steps. More can and needs to be done to decrease the rate of gun violence in our country.”
In addition, Kelly provided this update on bills she is involved in:
- Equitable Data Collection & Disclosure Act (H.R. 6585) requires the collection, analysis and reporting of COVID-19 demographic data. This legislation became law as part of the COVID-19 supplemental bill.
- H.R. 6584 would expand Medicaid DHS allotments to critical neighborhood hospitals in underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- H.R. 6244 would ensure COVID-19 testing is accessible and available to Americans receiving Medicaid or CHIP.
- COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act (H.R. 6763) would establish a national task force reporting to Congress on the racial disparities apparent in COVID-19 data. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Kamala Harris.
- Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Emergency Act would study the impacts of telehealth rule changes during COVID-19 to better inform federal policymaking.
- Community Solutions to COVID-19 Act would create a $1.5 billion federal grant program to support community and grassroots organization programs responding to racial health disparities highlighted by COVID-19. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Cory Booker.
Congresswoman Kelly also urged people to complete the 2020 Census at 2020census.gov. She explained that census results are used to distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds every year that go to local schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and more.
Firearms are not violent and neither are motor vehicles. Every day more people are killed by motor vehicles than anything else combined. Why not a “Motor Vehicle Violence Day” or Month?
Sounds silly doesn’t it?
It is the person with the finger on the trigger or the person behind the wheel. If there is going to be a discussion, let it be about the people and not the object.