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The Need for Gun Violence Prevention
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With my colleagues Rep. Sewell, Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee, Rep. Clyburn, & Rep. Clark, on the Capitol steps for National Speak Out Day #LightingTheWay #DisarmHate on July 14, 2016.
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On Thursday July 14, my colleagues and I in the House Democratic Caucus participated in the National Speak Out: The Path Forward on Gun Violence on Capitol Hill. We shared stories from our states on gun violence and experiences of survivors and those who have lost their lives to gun violence. With me that night was Ms. Kymberly Lee of Laurel, Maryland. Ms. Lee, a survivor of domestic violence, shared her story at the rally of how gun violence has impacted her life. I want to thank Ms. Lee for sharing her powerful story at the rally.
This summer has marked a season of activism on gun violence prevention on Capitol Hill. Our nation remains horrified and heartbroken by the brutal act of terror and hate that killed 49 and wounded many more in Orlando, Florida. Gun violence has become unacceptably commonplace in our country – the Orlando attack being the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States. We have a responsibility to do more to keep guns out of the wrong hands.
But it isn’t just mass shootings that should be our focus. Guns have taken more lives in this country since 1968 than were lost in all of the wars this Nation has ever fought. On average, more than 89 people die each day due to gun violence, whether that is by homicide, suicide, or accident. That adds up to more than 33,000 Americans being killed by guns each year. Just over three years since Newtown, more than 111,300 people have been killed by someone using a gun in America. In Maryland in 2015 alone, more than 340 Marylanders lost their lives to guns.
Thank you to all of my constituents who supported me all this summer in my activism on gun violence prevention across the nation and in our state. Your voice matters but this is not over. This time must be different.
The Need for Universal Background Checks
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My Floor Statement on the Need for Universal Background Checks
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Gun violence is an unacceptably commonplace thing in our country, and with every moment of silence we affirm it. Overwhelmingly, Americans want common sense gun legislation that puts an end to the era of mass shootings. The legislation that sparked this sit-in for common sense gun violence prevention was the bi-partisan No Fly, No Buy bill, which was introduced by Rep. Peter King (R-NY). This bill identifies a significant loophole in our system that allows suspected terrorists on the FBI’s no-fly list to walk into a gun store and legally buy deadly weapons. That’s why I spoke in support of the need for Universal Background Checks and demanded passage of No Fly, No Buy.
Our country needs legislation to end this loophole and it’s time to start reshaping our nation’s gun policy now. If you are too dangerous to fly, you’re too dangerous to buy a gun. It is without a doubt that No, Fly, No Buy is a step in the correct direction to address gun violence.
Fighting for a Healthy & Safe Environment
Protecting our Ozone
Changes in the environment and climate affect the public health of our citizens on a daily basis. That’s why I take a firm stance against legislation that threatens our natural resources such as air, water, and our land. Earlier this summer, H.R. 4775, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016, unfortunately passed the House by a vote of 234-177. The bill weakens the Clean Air Act by making changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) program.
This bill directly undermines provisions of the Clean Air Act put in place to protect our public health by changing the review cycle for pollutants from 5 to 10 years. This change delays the implementation of the latest science-based recommendations to protect our country’s public health. Air quality requires constant monitoring beyond the event of a national epidemic.
Legislation like H.R. 4775 forces the EPA to shift away from basing standards solely on public health and greatly undercuts its ability to protect the most vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and those with asthma. When air quality standards are lowered, it ultimately puts our communities at risk and chips away at our fragile public health infrastructure. By undermining environmental and health protections of the Clean Air Act, this legislation compromises our nation’s future.
Hosted TeleTown Hall on Gun Violence Prevention
Thank you to everyone who called in, asked questions, and listened to my telephone town hall on gun violence prevention in our communities. As you know, gun violence prevention is a topic that I’m passionate about and that I fight for every day in the halls of Congress. Hearing your concerns about protecting your families in the event of a mass shooting, or how legislation like No-Fly, No-Buy affects the Second Amendment is a part of the national dialogue that we must continue to have in our nation. To hear a recording of the TeleTown Hall, please click here.
Hosted 7th Annual Nonprofit Forum: Build It! Grow It! Sustain It!
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My opening panel discussion on Making Collaborations Work with Ms. Carol Thompson Cole of Venture Philanthropy Partners, Ms. Michele Booth Cole of Safe Shores & The D.C. Children’s Advocacy Center, Mr. Glen O’Gilvie of The Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and Ms. Karene Brodie of Hillside Work Scholarship Connection at the 7th Annual Nonprofit Forum at Charles Herbert Flower High School in Springdale, Maryland.
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There are a plethora of nonprofit organizations in Maryland’s 4th Congressional District and as a nonprofit professional it’s essential to have opportunities to enhance your network. Nonprofits are pivotal to improving the lives of our community through collaboration and vision. That’s why every year my office holds the Annual Nonprofit Forum. The Nonprofit Forum brings together professionals in government, private industry, and nonprofits from the region to develop winning strategies that tackle serious topics on a local and national level.
Tuesday June 28, marked my 7th Annual Nonprofit Forum at Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, Maryland. This year’s forum focused on in-depth discussions on how to staff your nonprofit, meet legal and financial requirements, and develop marketing strategies. On August 11, I hosted a follow-up workshop to the 7th Annual Nonprofit Forum titled “Legal & Financial Requirements for Nonprofits” in Suitland, Maryland. During this workshop we covered requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations, federal laws governing 501(c)(3) lobbying, and new overtime pay rules.
Thank you to all panelists, workshop hosts, and participants for attending our forum! I look forward to seeing you at our future events.
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A special congratulations to our stellar students Kayla Durham, winner of the 35th Annual Congressional Art Competition, and Andrew Latchman, recipient of the 14th Annual Engineering Scholarship with Northrop Grumman. I am proud of you and we thank you for representing Maryland’s 4th Congressional District with high honors!
Kayla Durham, Winner of the 35th Annual Congressional Art Competition for the Maryland 4th District
Congratulations to Kayla Durham, winner of the 35th Annual Congressional Arts Competition 4th Congressional District. Kayla was recognized for her photography piece titled “Photo Weave.” Her piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol along with other congressional district winners. Kayla is a recent graduate of Suitland High School, Class of 2016 in Suitland, Maryland. In the fall, Kayla will begin her first year at Morgan State University and is majoring in Engineering. For more information on the District Art Competition, please click here.
Andrew Latchman, Recipient of the 14th Annual Engineering Scholarship with Northrop Grumman
Congratulations to Andrew Latchman, recipient of the 14th Annual Engineering Scholarship with Northrop Grumman. Andrew is a recent graduate of Charles Herbert Flowers High School, Class of 2016 in Springdale, Maryland. This fall, Andrew will attend the University of Maryland, College Park, where he will study mechanical engineering with a focus on aerospace applications. For more information on the 14th Annual Engineering Scholarship with Northrop Grumman, please click here.
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| Kayla Durham, winner of the 35th Annual
Congressional Art Competition in MD-04 in front of her
artwork titled, “Photo Weave” at the U.S. Capitol
in Washington, DC. |
Andrew Latchman, recipient of the 14th Annual
Engineering Scholarship with Northrop Grumman at the
Northrop Grumman STEM Scholars dinner
hosted by the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in
Baltimore, MD.
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What: |
College and Career Fair & Forum
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When:
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October 15, 2016
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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Where:
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Oxon Hill High School
6701 Leyte Drive
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Map It!
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Click here to sign up!
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What: |
The Congressional App Challenge |
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Competition
Submission Period
Opens: |
July 18, 2016
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Competition
Submission Period
Closes: |
November 2, 2016
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Announcement of
Winners:
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December 2016 |
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Submit your app here!
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National Museum of African American History & Culture
WMATA - Information on Safe Track Repairs & Closures
CDC - Safety Information on Zika Virus
- 16-584, Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Pathways into Geoscience, National Science Foundation
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- P16AS00331, Engaging Diverse Youth through Natural Experiences and Developing a Conservation Ethic among Young Citizens, Department of the Interior
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- S-AU900-16-CA-002, Generation Next Youth Leadership Initiative, Department of State, U.S. Mission to Austria
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- RFA-OD-16-013, Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (K12), Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health
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Washington, D.C. Office
2445 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-8699 main
202-225-8714 fax
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Prince George's County Office
5001 Silver Hill Road, Suite 106
Suitland, Maryland 20746
301-516-7601 main
301-516-7608 fax
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