[Page H1559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              GUN VIOLENCE

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, we have spent a very long day in the 
Judiciary Committee working on legislation to respond to the American 
people's cry for universal background checks, but I rise as well, in 
the backdrop of that legislation, to stand for the victims of gun 
violence.
  I think it is important to note that America has 329 million people-
plus here in the United States, and it is growing every day. But we 
have 393 million guns here in this country. We have lost, in this past 
year, almost 40,000 people to gun violence.
  I believe it is important, in a bipartisan way, that, when we are 
here in the people's House, we act on behalf of the American people. 
They want fair, simple universal background checks, which I hope will 
be on this floor very soon.
  Let me close by giving my deepest sympathy to the family, friends, 
and staff of Walter Jones. I viewed him as a great American, a great 
public servant, and one of great principle. I know that Walter, in his 
life and now in his passing, will wish for this Nation peace and 
dignity for all of those men and women who serve in the United States 
military.
  May he rest in peace.

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