Robin Kelly

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Americans continue to die from gun violence. Just this week, there was a shooting in a Kroger--not even our grocery stores are safe from the scourge of gun violence. For more than a year, I've been coming to the House Floor and reading the names of gun violence victims that this House--the People's House-- has failed by our inability to act and save lives. To date, I've read more than 2,300 names into the Record. Each one of them, was someone's mother, son, brother, wife, cousin or friend. Every one of them was an American failed by Congress. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to recognize gun violence victims from five Congressional districts in North Carolina, Florida, Arizona and Kentucky and Michigan. Therefore, I include in the Record the names of 222 Americans who've been shot--many of whom were killed. Yet, still this House stands silent. Gun Violence Victims From North Carolina's 9th Congressional District 1. Sarah Posey, 21 2. Tywan Sturdivant 3. Nylah Vereen, 20 4. Jurellia Montgomery 5. Derrick Dent 6. Nekeshia Washington, 28 7. William Jerome Williamson 8. Johnathan Locklear 9. Jimmy Williams 10. Lewis Roundtree 11. David Duncan Jr., 22 12. Vashawn Colston 13. Keithan Khalil Lynch, 17 14. Michael Thaggard 15. Nathaniel Lepine 16. Nijiher Bingham, 10 17. Henderson Clarke 18. Prentis Robinson 19. Dwayne Vencent Fairley, 21 20. Dakota Chase Hunt, 18 21. Scott Chavis 22. Jeremiah Dakota Locklear, 17 23. Kenneth Wayne Bryant 24. David McLean 25. Keshion Devonta Hill, 22 26. Yhamer Alford, 21 27. Brandon Morris 28. Ronnie Lee Sampson 29. Elisa Meryl Slutzky 30. Kenneth Dale Henson 31. Chris Allen 32. Kelvin Ramone Velez, 20 33. Calvin Blackshire, Jr. 34. Hugh Lee Moose 35. Charles Hunt 36. Ellis Bradham, 27 37. Jahee Tycari Hoke 38. Katherine Memory Jones, 26 39. Dennis Hunt 40. Darius Deon Chapman 41. Lorene Potter Simpson 42. Kimberly Renee Reps 43. Clayton Millsaps, 29 44. Fredrick Antwone Butler 45. Ernest Louis Cash, Jr., 19 46. Dennis Penny 47. Kim Leon Campbell 48. Kim Lee Long 49. Melvin Ashby, 26 50. Judith Causey 51. Phillip Davis 53. Uriah Fuller, 4 52. Josiah Fuller, 3 54. Shaundasia Smith, 16 55. Mirjana Puhar, 19 56. Jonathan Alvarado, 23 57. Jusmar Gonzaga-Garcia, 21 58. Rosool Jaleel Harrell, 22 59. Kimberly Kemp 60. Jamie Moore 61. Marquise Leon Dalton, 24 62. William Hale 63. Sarah Long 64. Thurmont Davis Gun Violence Victims From Florida's 15th Congressional District 65. Thimothy Passmore 66. Rennie Defoe Jr. 67. Gary Cauley 68. T.J. Honors, 14 69. Mack Holloman Jr. 70. Robert Schreiner 71. Otniel Alvarez 72. Grover Wills, 18 73. Michael Robert Guthridge 74. William C. Duncan 75. Roderick Childs 76. William Reiss 77. James Hanks 78. Rickie Stipe 79. Russell Leon Jackson 80. Chike Tim 81. Jerry Roach 82. Jesus Cervantes 83. Jeremy Himmelman, 22 84. Andrew Oneschuk, 18 85. Preston Burnett 86. Milton Lamar Vam 87. Perry Edward Vam 88. William McCallister 89. Lisa Fuillerat 90. Samara Rautenberg 91. Vincente Fuillerat 92. Diquan Mills 93. Jerome Reese 94. Jayquon Johnson, 17 95. John Pacuick 96. Andrea Dixon 97. Kenneth Michael Cuevas, 27 98. Destiny Mayes, 20 99. Jean Makenson Deroche, 21 100. Donald Eugene Wood 101. Dayoshis Carter, 19 Gun Violence Victims From Michigan's 7th Congressional District 102. Gregory Heath 103. Katherine Sturgill 104. Curtis Sturgill 105. Jazzrell Witherspoon, 19 106. Alexander Lee Dombrowski 107. Timothy John Curtiss 108. John D. Campbell 109. Robert Claude Smith 110. Malik Rodriguez, 23 111. Ronnell Martin, 22 112. Rickey Dempsey 113. Morris McBride Jr., 18 114. Nathaniel Marcelious-Antonio Bowers, 23 115. Jeremy Alan Barron 116. Brittany Southwell, 26 117. David Lem Sprague 118. Zach Currie 119. William Clayton Coleman Jr. 120. Terry Lynn Maurer 121. Hunter Lentz, 18 122. Matthew McMillen, 18 123. Jesse Lambert, 27 124. Akive Ahmad Ty'Juan Edwards 125. Ben Johnson, 27 126. Jeffrey Capers 127. Kadriedra Goodwin, 24 128. Daniel Dadgar, 27 129. Durrell Solomon 130. Jonathan Kaufman, 3 131. Deven Guilford 132. Jason Brewer, 23 133. James Momenee 134. Christy Ann Wilt 135. Sgt. Greg Hunt Gun Violence Victims From Kentucky's 6th Congressional District 136. Margaret Elizabeth Smith 137. Kerry D. Kenney 138. Dustin Wayne Johnson, 24 139. Jared Miles Moore, 22 140. David N. Scott 141. Devon Guest, 19 142. Joel Pflum 143. Mikel Willis 144. Rachel Jean Preston 145. Austin Murphy, 29 146. Darrius Twyman, 19 147. Adan Juarez Vicente 148. Justin Lee Jenkins, 19 149. Victor Wilson 150. Frederick Ratliff 151. John Drain Moffett 152. Leo Travers, 15 153. Nova Gallman, 2 154. David Fletcher Jones 155. James Augustus Blair, 27 156. Trinity Gay, 15 157. Maryiah Coleman, 22 158. Joseph Trevor Dilger 159. Judith White 160. Robert Warner 161. Daniel Pigg 162. Amy Koegel 163. Melissa Roberts 164. Corenz White, 28 165. Melanie Gabbard 166. Richard Lambert 167. Brenda Hatton 168. Ronnie L. Kelly 169. Damycal Tre Bolton, 18 Gun Violence Victims From Arizona's 2nd Congressional District 170. Reilly Thacker, 21 171. Jason Patty 172. Avrum Diaz, 29 173. Edward Dalton Decker, 27 174. Craig Yelton 175. Wade Lockwood 176. Joseph Anthony Campos, 23 177. Russell Santos 178. Christian Garcia-Sanchez, 15 179. Donald Stanley 180. Charles Hutchison 181. David Jimenez 182. Roberto Varela 183. Javier Quiroz, 24 184. Mark Garity, 29 185. Therin Castillo Jr, 15 186. Bill Drake 187. Margaret Hoyt 188. Taggart Seth Fuller, Jr., 13 189. Christoper Gentry 190. Yolanda Eberts 191. Jacob Edward Luna 192. Eric Noriega 193. William Bell 194. Jesus Isaac Rael 195. Thomas Barnes, 28 196. Enrique Bracamonte, 30 197. Osee Calix 198. Sephaul Booker, 15 199. Arturo Vasquez Romero, 25 200. Jordan Szymanski 201. Haylee Parker, 5 202. Mackenzie Parker, 8 203. Zachary Corbut, 20 204. Daniel Gordon 205. Alexandria Eastman, 25 206. Sandra Hatfield 207. Carlos Saaverda Ramirez 208. Herschel Watkins III, 19 209. Anthony A. Garcia 210. Jeremy High, 24 211. Gary Tucker 212. Jase David DeBaker 213. Heather Marcucci 214. Paul David Lauderdale 215. Alice Phillips 216. George Phillips 217. Guadalupe Alvarado 218. Michael Duncklee 219. Marshall Davis 220. Osvaldo Vargas 221. Michael Estrada

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about one of my alma maters, Northern Illinois University, and her new president, Dr. Lisa C. Freeman. Dr. Freeman was appointed by the NIU Board on September 20, 2018, to serve as the university's 13th president and first woman president-- lucky number 13. As a proud NIU alum, earning my PhD in political science from NIU in 2004, I'm excited to welcome Dr. Freeman to her new, and finally, official role. She previously served as acting president since July 2017. Dr. Freeman has dedicated her career to the promotion of social excellence and engagement in teaching and learning, research and scholarship, creativity and artistry, and outreach and service. I have no doubt that her inspiring nature and example will surely lead NIU to greater heights under her steadfast and visionary leadership. Her commitment to the academic excellence of the students and faculty at NIU will maintain NIU's leadership as a world-class institution. Throughout her career, Dr. Freeman has fostered an inclusive learning environment where students and faculty can live, grow and thrive. As a proud NIU alum, I can recount the moments throughout my educational journey where men and women, like Dr. Freeman, helped pave a way for me and others to succeed, in the classroom, in our careers and in life. In my current role as the Congresswoman for Illinois' 2nd District, it encourages me to see the broad-spectrum collaboration and participation underway at NIU, from science and mathematics to political science, business and the arts. My office and constituents have certainly benefitted from the great educational experience available at NIU. In fact, a number of my current and former staffers and interns are all NIU alums, and they work hard every day to serve the great people of the 2nd Congressional District. As our institutions of higher learning face 21st century challenges, I know that NIU, under Dr. Freeman's leadership, will rise up and not only meet but also exceed these challenges. In particular, Dr. Freeman's own personal examples as a barrier- breaking researcher in the STEM field will certainly inspire many young people to find their own place and path in the dynamic, growing and innovative STEM fields. As a proud Husky, it's my honor to welcome Dr. Freeman as the 13th President of Northern Illinois University. I am confident that under her leadership, NIU will continue to flourish as an innovative and world-leading, student-centered, research-focused public university. Welcome once again and go Huskies.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize October 11th as the International Day of the Girl, a day to promote girls' empowerment and examine the challenges and barriers girls face around the world. According to the UN High Commission on Refugees, there are approximately 65 million forcibly displaced people worldwide and half are under the age of 18. Prolonged periods away from home result in low school enrollment rates for displaced children, which leaves girls vulnerable to early marriage, human trafficking, and child labor. The Protecting Girl's Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act, which myself and Congressman Chabot introduced, aims to ensure educational needs of displaced girls are considered in the design, implementation, and evaluation of U.S. foreign assistance. Girls perform better in school when they have access to quality education and a safe space to learn. International Day of the Girl, is a day to reflect on the importance of ensuring all children, especially girls, have access to safe, quality education.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Americans continue to die from gun violence while this White House and this Congressional majority does nothing to stop it. Instead of working to pass commonsense, lifesaving legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of people who should never have them, Republican Congressional leadership is already eyeing the door to campaign before the November election. We are already hearing rumors that the next two weeks could be cancelled. Instead of running off to campaign, we should remain in Washington to debate any number of bipartisan commonsense gun safety proposals that will save American lives. Sadly, this Republican majority is too beholden to the NRA and gun lobby to do the right thing. Speaker Ryan and Congressional Republicans will head out to hit the campaign trail while Americans will continue to die because of their criminal inaction. These are the names of 156 Americans that this Republican majority has failed by their inaction on gun violence: Florida's 17th Congressional District 1. Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy William Gentry Jr. 2. Hinso Estriplet 3. Trent Bartol-Thomas, 19 4. Anthony Mathison 5. Rhiannon W. Layendecker 6. Samuel Jones, 22 7. Eric Young, 18 8. Matthew Eugene Collins 9. Joshua Jordan, 23 10. Guy Jr. Alabre, 16 11. Steven Gonzalez 12. Kehsawn Souvenir 13. Ivan Garcia 14. Maria ``Angeles'' Delosangeles Evaristo Bautista 15. Alejandro Manuel Luis 16. Theodore King 17. Verkiesha Charmaine Massaline, 21 18. Jimmie Olds 19. Jose Alonso Rodriguez 20. Amanda Gayle Suarez 21. Mohammed Allam 22. Aaron Hankerson 23. Marcus Dupree Davis Jr., 19 24. Lawrence Lockley, 18 25. Mary Knowlton 26. Urte Rottman 27. Rikard Rottman 28. Ricardo Vaca, 20 29. Amparo Moreno 30. Eddie Powell Jr., 22 31. Christopher Jermaine Allen 32. Antoinette ``Ann'' Gordon 33. Hugh Gordon 34. Barbara Kavanaugh 35. Frank Kavanaugh 36. Earlon Eugley 37. Kyle Farishian, 18 38. Mirabel Sandoval, 26 39. Manuel Galindo Oquendo 40. Christina B. Galvez 41. Daniel Gonzalez, 25 42. William `Bear' Curry 43. Thomas Markland 44. Martin Plummer 45. Blake Reeves, 20 46. Officer Larry Phelps 47. Michael Gavin 48. Maxie Broome Jr. 49. Randall Scott Ford 50. Charles Herzberger 51. Tyshawn Markess Hall, 21 52. Daysha Releesha Crapp, 21 53. Jaqwan Salvalas Hall, 21 54. Korynn Jennifer Siwniewski, 19 55. Michael Murphy, 56. Terry Wayne Snyder 57. Jesus Garcia-Renteria, 22 58. Brian Gorby, 19 59. Tyler Henthorne 60. Jesus Nieves Gomez 61. Patrick Fields 62. John Paul Kirby 63. Linda Kirby 64. Brandon Orlando 65. John Stalnaker 66. Emmanuel Shird 67. Carlos Delgado, 5 68. Angela Morales 69. Spencer Philipe, 18 70. Thomas Crispin 71. Peta Gaye Muschette 72. Adeirean Carey. California's 10th Congressional District 73. Alejandro Lizarraga-Cabrera 74. Daniel ``Danny'' Russell 75. Emilio Gerardo Enriquez Almanza, 15 76. Richard Lee Short III, 17 77. Brisa Covarrubias, 13 78. Ismael Guzman, 16 79. Muhammad Sharieff, 21 80. Lisandra Corrales, 28 81. Pierre Hurtado, 6 82. Nathan Hurtado, 4 83. Jordan Correia 84. Lydia Nicholson 85. Ricardo Vasques, 24 86. Cody Lea, 21 87. Xavier Smith, 5 88. Lisa Herger, 29 89. Tiffany Herrera, 27 90. Norberto Martinez 91. Joga Shergill 92. Terelle Swearengin, 25 93. Stephen Cain 94. David Reyes 95. Evin Olsen Yadegar 96. Benito Garcia, 17 97. Rafael Avina 98. Kalpesh Patel 99. Sheila Marie Sanders 100. Dahvish Gilliam 101. Sylvia Oliver 102. Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff Dennis Randall Wallace 103. Robert Farish 104. Gergory Pimentel 105. Sylvia Chavarria 106. Brisa Covarrubias, 13 107. Pablo Vargas Jr. 108. Falane Jones 109. Andre Penn, 25 110. Jorge Santana 111. Derek Mauldin 112. Andrew Miller, 24 113. Gabriel Rodriguez 114. Zachary McGee, 25 115. Marcus Culebro, 22 116. Louis Ramos 117. Oscar Peralta 118. Robert Herrera 119. Maricela Martinez 120. Mario Medina 121. Derrick Farrow 122. Cynthia Antrim 123. Chad Evert Romesha 124. Hunter Davis, 11 125. Dillon Reynolds, 22 126. Darell Esguerra, 25 127. Juan Jose Calvillo 128. David Cruz, 21, and 129. Alejandro Lizarraga-Cabrera. New Jersey's 11th Congressional District 130. Najee Broadway, 18 131. Omar Broadway 132. Daniel Martone 133. Barbara Martone 134. James Hofstetter 135. Christina Prestianni 136. Christopher Minichini 137. Raymond Torres 138. Joan Bramhall 139. Julian Knott 140. Alita Knott 141. Brendan Tevlin, 19. California's 48th District 142. Liz Noriega 143. Benjamin Ullestad 144. Brandon Ullestad 145. Douglas Ferguson 146. Lisa Cosenza 147. Amanda Jensen 148. Rick Moore 149. Kevin Sotelo 150. Julian Barragan 151. Francisco Sotelo Gonzalez 152. Chief Richard Bukowiecki 153. Leoncio Banuelos 154. Brandon Dufault 155. Todd Kuchar, and 156. Steve Rodriguez.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a longtime staff member, my deputy chief of staff, Audra Wilson. After more than 5 years of service to the people of Illinois' Second Congressional District, Audra is leaving my office to serve as the new executive director of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. I first met Audra in 2003 while serving as a State representative. Audra has been with my congressional staff from day one. As my deputy chief of staff and district director, she has played an important role in organizing essential district programming like our jobs and health fairs, our local Black Women & Girls programming, and has skillfully maintained our local district task forces. Audra is also my constant plus one whenever I want to grab a bite of Indian food. I congratulate Audra and her family, especially her beautiful and brilliant daughter, Ava, my future district director in the year 2038. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had the privilege to work with Audra, and on behalf of the people she served for over 5 years, I commend her and say: Job well done.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Americans are dying from gun violence and this Congress continues to do nothing. Gun violence in America has become a daily reality in our cities, in our suburbs and in rural communities, yet this Republican-controlled Congress does nothing. Instead, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle offer their `thoughts and prayers' on social media while collecting NRA checks with zero after zero on them. Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker, money has poisoned our politics with deadly results. No other peer nation sees the level of gun violence that occurs in America--perhaps because our peer nations don't have a gun lobby dedicated to a dangerous and misguided `gun everywhere, commonsense nowhere' agenda that kills Americans on a daily basis. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the names of 244 Americans, from just three Congressional districts: Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District, North Carolina's 13th Congressional District and North Dakota's At-Large Congressional District, who've been lost to gun violence in recent years. Pennsylvania's 17th District 1. Michael Davis 2. Sharae Thompson 3. Xander Thompson, 3 4. Zackary Yashkus 5. David Gombert 6. Victor Grandy 7. David Howard 8. Jack Sipple 9. Kenneth Schreiner 10. Jane Schreiner 11. Robert Eli Greene 12. Scott Allen Baver 13. Michael Bond 14. Joe Molinaro 15. Marylouise Meixell-Moyer 16. Kervin Lee Garcia 17. Diane Brobst 18. Ryan Craig Boomer 19. Donald Garey 20. Morgan McGee 21. Gary Marchalk 22. Bentley Thomas Koch, 4 23. Ethan Robles 24. Anni Robles 25. Lisa Menzo Santoro 26. Leonard Moser 27. Terrance ``Lex'' Ferguson 28. Lawrence E. Purcell, Jr. 29. Rosemary Smith 30. Shyheem Smith 31. Michael Rogers 32. Jose L. Ocasio-Shouverer 33. Kyre Williams, 16 34. Taron Walker, 14 35. Donna Kimmel 36. Shaun Briggs 37. Michael Saunders 38. Mitchell Rook 39. Haydee Delgado 40. David Spence 41. Devin Cosme 42. Officer Seth Kelly 43. Austin Naples 44. Emmanuel Cancel 45. Joseph R. Becker 46. Alex Rosario 47. Devin Andresen 48. Kyle Garrison 49. Alex Spaid 50. Sean Grady 51. William Anderson 52. Melissa Dombroski 53. Vanesa Batista 54. Trevor Oliver 55. Robert Purdy 56. Harry Read 57. Bentley Thomas Koch, 4 58. Ethan Robles 59. Sharae Thompson, 21 60. Xander Thompson, 3 61. Zackary Yashkus, 23 62. Kyre Williams, 16 63. Taron Walker, 14 North Dakota's At-Large Congressional District 64. Derrick Left Hand 65. Ila Averson 66. Louis Averson 67. Kevin Nelson 68. Carole Glomstad 69. Nicole Haliaaloh Gututala-Hoff, 25 70. Arianna Talmage, 6 71. Aidan Talmage, 10 72. Tyler Talmage, 14 73. Astra Yolk 74. Kommika K. Gregory 75. Casey Gene Jensen 76. Cherish Ranae Petersen, 26 77. Vance Neset 78. Grant Poyner 79. Nick Laqua, 23 80. Ronald Rechtzigel 81. Rolette County Deputy Sheriff Colt Eugene Allery 82. Kevin White 83. Tanner Carrico, 21 84. Jaide Tosseth, 14 85. Richard Young, 24 86. Diandre Lott 87. Donzell Washington 88. Fargo Police Officer Jason Moszer 89. Billy Holladay 90. Roger Falana 91. Caine Fischer 92. Brian James Story 93. Christopher Rusk Sluder 94. Gene Paul Jassmann North Carolina's 13th Congressional District 95. Michael Jerome Potts 96. Wanda Taylor 97. Dionte' Raynard Bethea, 23 98. Roland Vincent, 24 99. Denard Herbin 100. Michael Jaytuan Ingram, 28 101. Mirah Turner, 25 102. Antoine Gelzer, 18 103. Caitlin Heath, 21 104. Eric Johnson, Jr., 21 105. Michael Faulk 106. Gene Aikens 107. Elizabeth Smith 108. Shaquanna Shana Hudson 109. Jermaine Anton Wilson 110. Quavist Phillips, 20 111. James Christopher Davis 112. Austin Matulevic 113. Michael Luther 114. Tyree R. Miller 115. Lynn C. Baskins 116. Griffin L. Weathers, 17 117. Zoe Fleming, 16 118. TyQuan Von Ricco Washington, 18 119. Gregory Yarborough, 21 120. Derrick Demont DeWalt 121. Emmanuel Alexander 122. Wanda Alexander 123. Amar Clark 124. Justin Lynn Alspaugh, 24 125. Freeman Jacobi Wells 126. Charles A. Anderson 127. Na'kayla Bynes, 16 128. Qumain Pratt 129. Kenaya Ricardo James 130. Robert Allen Smith 131. Simmie Junior Bethea 132. Teresa Neal 133. Ronald Neal 134. Jose Santiago 135. Larry Darnell Dalton, Jr. 136. Centell Carter 137. Isaiah Malik Gillespie, 20 138. Stephen Nathan McKinney, Jr. 139. Timothy Frierson, 26 140. David Christopher Bohne 141. Devin Christofer Bilodeau 142. Karla Ayde-Garcia Arellano, 25 143. Javier Garcia Aguilar 144. Robert ``Bob'' Eugene Owens 145. Rolesville Police Chief Bobby Langston II 146. Gina Williams 147. Michele Kennington Williams 148. Sharod Mathis, 22 149. Timothy Bennett, 24 150. Rebecka Pearce 151. Granville County Deputy Jeremy Pearce 152. Victor Hairston, Jr., 25 153. Londale Samuel Williams, 18 154. Sebastian Unique Smith 155. Joshua Omar Forbes, 25 156. James Robert Battle 157. Mark Edward Rice 158. Tony Braswell, 21 159. James Calvin Graham, Jr. 160. David Vasquez 161. Wesley Collin Carpenter, 27 162. Sandy Mazzella 163. Stephenie Ann Mazzella, RN 164. Elaine Toby Mazzella 165. Pedro Joel Reyes Dias, 24 166. Allan Uriel Rodriguez, 25 167. Don Pipkin 168. Kathleen Pipkin 169. Carlos Cesar Vasquez Luna 170. Alfred Garcias, 25 171. Bailey Lynch, 19 172. Stephanie Autry 173. Georgina Fajardo 174. Jerry Eugene Sumpter 175. Steven Andrew Short 176. Sean Fitzsimmons Guess 177. George Lee Dickens, Jr. 178. Ana Marlen Cruz-Franco, 28 179. Ventura Sanchez 180. Martha Yses Campusano Cisneros 181. Emilio Rodriguez-Rizo 182. Britny Jordan Puryear, 22 183. Danielle Anita Hodges 184. Arthur Brown 185. David McKoy 186. Lloyd Woodlief 187. Lloyd Peyton Woodlief 188. Dana Andrew Lauffer 189. Renwick Earl Davis 190. Brandon Maurice, 22 191. Sherrod Maurice Crum 192. David Bruce Elrod 193. Tyler D. Pratt 194. Antron L. Breeden 195. Officer Tyler Horn 196. Anthony Kristopher King, 18 197. Nakayla Brown, 16 198. Kjuan Boyd 199. Tobechi Opara, 22 200. Julian Nelson, 17 201. Devron Davis, 25 202. Melquan Lapip Glover Sr., 25 203. Timothy Earl Dawkins 204. Cornelius Colson 205. Mosahn Elijah Robinson, 18 206. Zarrie James 207. Rose Correll 208. Kelvin Harper, 13 209. Robert Chad Christie 210. Shakeya Jones, 9 211. Demetric Brooks 212. Christina Hudson 213. Regina Gray 214. William Pierre Hargrave, 21 215. David Gamble 216. Darwin Lewis ``D.J.'' Turner 217. Chance Lebron 218. Roderick James 219. Joshuah Kristopher Keating 220. Christopher Lee Cantrell 221. Raven Cauthen 222. Tyonne Mckinnon, 19 223. Garrett Johnson 224. Samuel Tilley, 19 225. Jessica Holt, 22 226. Alcalvin Rogers 227. Tonya Boyd 228. Emmanuel Boyd, 21 229. Valencia Hussey 230. Isephine Garner 231. Leroy Carter 232. Steven Brian Perkins 233. Scott Cole 234. Kenneth Stagg, Jr. 235. Jarod Tory Vinson 236. Rhonda Williams 237. Joseph Meacham, 7 238. David Padron, 20 239. Alexis Patterson, 17 240. Dymond Patrice Fowler, 19 241. Christopher Scott Wilson 242. Himoud Ahmad Al-Awamleh 243. Jerome Edward Fogg, Jr. 244. Officer K.J. Barefoot.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Americans continue to die from gun violence. They die on our streets, in their homes, in elementary schools and grocery stores. Yet, despite the shocking statistics, this Republican-controlled Congress does nothing. The Speaker offers ``thoughts and prayers'' on social media and then jets off for summer vacation or a fundraiser. Meanwhile, kids continue to die. Families continue to be torn apart and my GOP colleagues gleefully cash their NRA checks. Money has poisoned our politics with deadly results. This Congress-- controlled entirely by Republicans--continues to ignore the carnage taking place in our streets. It seems the zeros on the NRA checks have become blinders to reality. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the names of 191 New York residents, including an infant and numerous teenagers, who this House-- controlled by you and Republicans--have failed by your continued inaction on gun violence. New York 22nd District 1. Deon Williams, 2. Corey J. Hobart, 3. Erika Smith, 4. Quintin J. Horner, 5. Amy Sliwowski, 6. Adam Atkinson, 7. Brandon Palmatier, 16, 8. David Davis, 9. Thomas E. Shepherd, 10. Tyquan Gumbs, 11. Brandon Hernandez, 12. Theodore ``Teddy'' Talerico, 13. Dasean Chastine, 14. Roxanne Shipman, 15. David Sanborn, 16. Jordan Doolittle, 17. Shanley J. Johnson, 18. Shai A. Johnson, 19. Christopher Bush, 20. Stephen Parker, 21. Lawrence Edwards, 22. Debra Rogers, 23. Leon Rogers, 24. Vincent Wynder, 25. Jayson Pulluaim, 26. Jamaal Moses, 27. Jamal Mathis, 28. Nathaniel Hitt, infant, 29. Alagujuan White, 30. James High, 31. Andrew Abston, 32. Zachary R. Rogers, 33. Stephanie R. Excell, 34. Derek D. Prindle, 35. Derek S. Prindle, 36. Rose G. Ortiz, 37. Daniel Brennan, 38. Pammi Mroczek, 39. Robert Mroczek, 40. Scott Wright, Jr., 19, 41. Kareem Christopher, 42. Andre Oliver-Kennedy, 43. Zachary Garcia-Kenyon, 44. Grady Hunter, 45. Travis Dam, 46. Dajuan Jones, 47. Robert Everetts, 48. Sivad Davis, 49. Wilbert Lawson, 50. Guthrie J. Hood, 51. Kevin Barber, 52. Rakiim Patterson, 53. Angel Aviles, 54. Chad Czternastek, 55. Julio A. Matos, 56. Durrell Dow, 57. Vincent Wynder, 58. Adrian Liggins, 59. Memphis Delacruz, 22, 60. Ezra McLean, 61. Rodney Pearson, 23, 62. Corwin Weathers, 63. Rahmel Weathers, New York's 21st District 64. Rudy Ray Rockett, Sr., 65. Philip B. Goolden, 66. David Carpin, 67. Devin Fierro, 68. Dennis Puglisi, 69. Trooper Joel Davis, 70. Tyler Johnson, 71. Parker Huckabone, 13, 72. James Huckabone, 73. James Kohl, 74. Pamela Williamson, 75. Wayne C. Cashman, 76. Ann Marie Cashman, 77. Nichole Walters, 78. Rebecca Finkle, 79. Ken Fish, Jr., 80. Michael Desnoyers, 81. Anthony A. Lewis, 82. Jim Rypkema, 83. Katie Gilbert, New York's 19th Congressional District 84. Joshua Laveck, 85. Inderly In'stinfil, 19, 86. Lawrence Burns, 19, 87. Margarita Soto, 88. Jose Cruz, 89. Efrain ``Ping'' Lopez, 90. Timothy A. Perry, 91. Solveige E. Perry, 92. Lana Florio, 93. Kevin Whitening, 94. Maritza E. Ovsak, 95. Juan C. Ovsak, 96. Brandyn Dayne Foster, 97. Amy L. Burger, 98. Trevor Sasso, 99. Ramona Gonzalez, 100. Michael Northcote, 101. Tifanne K. Wells, 102. George L. Jones, 103. Richard Miller, 104. Daniel Brennan, 105. Pammi Mroczek, 106. Kerstin S. Williams, 107. Ryan Gray, 108. Thomas DeMarco, 109. Aron J. Thomas, 110. LaToya M. Brandow, 111. Sara A. Butler, 112. Abduke London, 113. Ian Delaney, 114. Mackenzie Alexander, 115. Ida David, New York's 23rd Congressional District 116. Brittany Bean Corkwell, 16, 117. Jeremiyah Alford, 12, 118. Mitchell Potts, 16, 119. Rudy Ray Rockett, Sr., 120. Robyn Roper, 121. David M. Cady, Jr., 122. Bryan A. Willis, 123. Emily Carson, 124. Tiffany S. Crossett, 125. Obryan Ramos, 126. Shari J. Robbins, 127. Kimani Meadows, 128. Robyn Roper, 129. Duane Hurlbutt, 130. Donna Hahn, 131. Anthony Garrett, 132. Marquise Sutton, 133. Kimberly Podolski, 134. Dennis Larwethand, 135. Daniel Podolski, 136. Mary E. Whitaker, 137. Sam Reynolds, 138. Nicole Sheehan, 139. Najee Holmes, 140. Lawrence K. Baker, New York's 24th Congressional District 141. Emmanuel Aguaya, 17, 142. Demari Neely, 17, 143. Akil Williams, 15, 144. Juan Martinez, 145. Shaquan Lockwood, 19, 146. Devanere Thomas, 16, 147. Juan Martinez, 148. Daniel Diaz-Marrero, 17, 149. Ismael Diaz-Marrero, 19, 150. Tyquan Jones, 15, 151. Nyair Hall, 13, 152. Luis Sepulveda, 153. Christopher McLauren, 154. James E. Smith, Jr ., 155. Francis Mercado, 16, 156. Jeremy Jackson, 157. Jeffrey M. Harris, New York's 11th Congressional District 158. Usman Zafar, 17, 159. Raquan Jenkins, 160. Bryan Contreras, 17, 161. Torrie Smith, 20, 162. Joshua Robertson, 163. TJ Bills, 164. Raymond Banks, 165. Tyreak Holloway, 166. Junior Bailey, 167. Nathaniel Calhoun, 168. Elijah McCall, 169. David Estrella, 170. Sheldon Bell, 171. Khalil Scott, 172. Marino Stocco, 173. Abdalhamid Alswelim, 174. Diamond Roberson, 175. Bridget Shenk, 176. Ivan Valentin, 177. John Hesterhagen, 178. Vincent Castro, 179. Tairiq Matthews, 19, 180. Whalen Johnson Gurley, 181. Keith Keita, 182. Robert D'onofrio, 183. Michael Genovese, 184. Carl Clark, 185. Tanoon Quiquoi, 186. Peter Olivo, 187. Denise Taylor, 188. Gavin Bacerra, 189. Derrick Bacerra, 190. Walbert Ryan Dale, 191. Diamond Roberson,

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because gun violence claims the lives of more than 90 Americans every day while hundreds of others are injured, many permanently. Despite these stark and shocking statistics, this Congress has not held a single vote to prevent gun violence--even though polling shows that more than 90 percent of Americans support commonsense, lifesaving policy changes, like a background check on every gun sale. Mr. Speaker, we--this Republican-controlled Congress--are failing American families by refusing to act and protect their lives. Here are the names of many, many Americans that we've failed. Americans failed by a Congress too beholden to the NRA to act: Virginia's 10th District 1. Murtada A. Marof 2. Ahmed S. Osman-Ahmed 3. Bao Hung Van 4. Shayna E. Lacy 5. Christopher Prevatt 6. Mala Manwani 7. Rishi Manwani 8. Mario M. Bowles 9. Wilfredo Guardado-Huezo 10. Hong Chen 11. Shirley Zhou 12. James Chen, 16 13. Jose Tomas Velasquez 14. Christina Fisher 15. D'Londre Minifield 16. Eugene Rumsey 17. Andre T. Howell 18. Naomi H. Howell 19. Corey Mattison 20. Officer Chris Campbell 21. Officer Matthew Eggers Pennsylvania's 12th District 22. Marquise Martin, 13 23. Nick Ursiny, 15 24. Jaimill Kenney, 16 25. William Cade Booher, 16 26. Keenan Williams, 16 27. Kasper Martin, 17 28. Donovan Nottingham, 18 29. Dane Mathesius, 18 30. Zackary Cutshall, 19 31. Luke J. Yuzwa, 19 32. Amanda Bennett, 20 33. Akielah Solomon, 20 34. Katelyn ``Kaytee'' Francis, 21 35. Kevin Gibson, 21 36. Kavan Worlds 37. A'Von Perry 38. Rachael DelTondo 39. Antwaiin Lawson 40. Lex Miller 41. Jason Neill 42. John Rosey 43. Diane Rosey 44. Tavion Williamson 45. Dennis Mercadante 46. Eddie Wanamaker 47. Julius Ceccarelli 48. Angela Ceccarelli 49. Cambria County Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Dunkleberger 50. Tevin Sitton 51. Tremayne Foster 52. Renae Johnson 53. Dennis Drum Sr. 54. Raghib Dolphin 55. Britteny E. Kyle 56. Tyrell Ferguson 57. Patricia A. Monk 58. Gregory Monk 59. Greg Simmons 60. Justin Simmons 61. Sonya Myers 62. Duane Myers 63. Robert Klein 64. Suzanne Klein 65. Eric Klein 66. Addaleigh A. Huzyak 67. St. Clair Township Police Officer Lloyd Reed 68. Desmond Nowlin 69. Matthew Williams 70. Tyrone Williams 71. Antwan Dash 72. Sharon DeMore 73. Abrianna Kovalcik's newborn 74. Caressa Kovalcik 75. Tony Phillips 76. Lemme McDade 77. Mark McDade 78. Karen Cubbage 79. Chloe Kruse 80. Ronald Prettyman 81. Weldon Branche 82. James Pinkston 83. Lisa Stover 84. Sharteake Tisinger 85. Theresa McDonald 86. Eric L. Hubbard 87. James Bucaro 88. Officer Alan Loskoch 89. Christopher Little 90. Ruth Preisser 91. Thomas Hornyak 92. Anthony Slappy, Jr. 93. Rashund Smith 94. Jessica Jackson 95. Thomas Paris 96. Stephen Huger Illinois' 14th District 97. Elaine M. Zene 98. Raymond T. Zene 99. Allania S. Yarber 100. Cesar Rangel 101. Tony Butler, Jr. 102. Ozell Sampson, Jr. 103. Lidia Juarez 104. Tiffany Coffland, 16 105. Brittany Coffland, 16 106. Randall R. Coffland 107. Nathan Hofkamp 108. John Nightingale 109. Daniel Bakker 110. Christopher C Kemble, 19 111. Joseph Laudicina 112. Taylor James Cano 113. Olvan Quezada, 18 114. William Servin, 18 Virginia 7th District 115. Stephan B. Clarke 116. Davonte L. Mitchell 117. Tatiana Wells 118. Umar Abdus Salaam 119. Thornell Sledge 120. Caleb Q. Smith 121. Jhanae Short 122. Jesse R. Coulter Illinois' 13th District 123. David Hicks 124. Jason Danenberger 125. Danny Lee 126. Bernard Norvell 127. Sherman Neal 128. Matthew Greer-Blakey 129. Ricky Green, 18 130. Montrez Vonner 131. Micheal White 132. Tyrone A. Grady 133. Julius D. Evans 134. Ralph J. Evans Jr. 135. Dana A. Stone 136. Nathaniel Majors, 22 137. Todd Daniel Feldkamp 138. James M. Basse 139. Andrian Chatman 140. Steven Suber 141. Andre N. Robinson 142. Brandon J. Smith, 19 143. Steven W. Flack 144. Zachary Hubbartt 145. Jason A. White 146. Reginald Day 147. John Laprice Morgan, 26 148. Kortez Brown Joiner, 24 149. Tyler Cox 150. Darien Carter, 24 151. Austin Durham, 24 152. Jim Tipsford 153. Andrei E. Ford 154. Jamison Kerr 155. Demetrius Lane 156. Duston Smith-Fonville 157. Deveonta Lindsey 158. Jeremy Robinson 159. Stephon B. Clarke 160. Davonte L. Mitchell 161. Tatiana Wells

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because gun violence continues to claim the lives of Americans and it remains unchecked by this Congress. Just this weekend, Chicago--our nation's third largest city--saw 74 people shot, 11 of whom passed away and 63 of whom were injured and will never be the same. Mr. Speaker, what are we doing? Or more correctly, what AREN'T we doing? We should be passing legislation to stop interstate gun trafficking, to prevent stalkers from accessing weapons, to keep suspected terrorists from purchasing weapons and to ensure a background check on every gun sale. Tragically, this Republican-controlled Congress shows no intention to consider any of these commonsense, lifesaving policy changes that we know work and save lives. Mr. Speaker, we--well, more correctly, this Republican-controlled Congress is failing the American people and putting their lives and families at risk. Here are the names of many, many Americans that we've failed . Americans failed by a Congress too beholden the NRA to act: Florida's 25th Congressional District 1. Melani Valencia, 7 2. Deborah Ledesma, 14 3. David Bettancourt, 15 4. Jennifer Cordero, 16 5. Marcos Aleman, 17 6. Michael Stallone, 18 7. Jael Valencia, 18 8. Brady Walker, 18 9. Juan Herrera Jr., 19 10. Tyquarn Johnson, 19 11. Jeffrey Eskridge Jr., 20 12. Andrew Verde, 20 13. Sai Kiran Aila, 21 14. Michael Nicholas Zaldua, 21 15. Rosemery Ramirez-Morales, 23 16. Javier Enrique Pupo, 23 17. Diamond Tisdale, 24 18. Elena Maria Diaz, 27 19. Christopher Patrick Hunter 20. Thomas Anthony Hunter 21. Omaida Garcia 22. Eduardo Gonzalez 23. Army Ranger Fernando Duarte 24. Carlos Gonzalez Penalver 25. Lucila Mercedes Suarez Rodriguez 26. Lourdes Torres 27. Carlton Fair 28. Jesus Valencia 29. Rocky E. Priser 30. Noarian Pino 31. Ramon Emilio Gutierrez Castillo 32. Elva Rosa Alcala 33. Andres Alcala] Gutierrez 34. Elia Falcon 35. Edna Jarboe 36. August Steen Jr. 37. Lazarus Morejon 38. Diana Maria Castro 39. Robert Parker 40. Andres Lezcano 41. Niurvy Dlima 42. Estela Cuba 43. Juan Agriel 44. Yolanda Samaniego 45. Charlie Davis 46. Valrie Davis 47. Hidelsia Echemendia 48. Blesilda Dominguez 49. Yanetsy Pastrana 50. Onelia Canales 51. Juan Carlos Hernandez 52. Deputy Jayson Moorehead 53. Richard Acosta 54. Yurien Diaz 55. Melvin Culpepper 56. Angel Garcia 57. Dogoberto Barrios 58. Xavier Pringle 59. Lashelle Williams 60. Marjorie Hunton 61. Timothy Hunton 62. Officer Yandier Hernandez 63. Yoan Leon-Gonzalez 64. Danielle Trevino 65. Carlos Alberto Cura 66. Shay Harvey 67. Tony Green 68. Jessica Cifuentes 69. Eduardo Rodriguez 70. Juan Guellmes 71. Paris Rome Florida's 26th Congressional District 72. Alfredo Hernandez-Siena, 18 months 73. Camell Williams-Thomas, 2 74. Eric ``E.J.'' Wright, 5 75. Amiere Castro, 7 76. Amberly Hernandez-Sierra, 8 77. Treasure Clark, 9 78. Makaih Smith, 10 79. Jamarie London, 11 80. Cornell Dunn, 12 81. Anthony Elison, 13 82. Darin ``Book'' Booker, 13 83. Cedrick Pemell, 13 84. Teddra King, 13 85. Lazara Retana,13 86. Jonathan Wells, 14 87. Jaquwaivyon Mattes, 14 88. Martwan Santiago, 14 89. Fabian McIntryre, 15 90. Kondrea Wilson, 16 91. Joe'eara Riley, 16 92. Jatavious Williams, 17 93. Corey ``CJ'' Johnson, 17 94. DeAndre Foster, 17 95. Jennavi Small, 18 96. Sergio Emanuel Franco, 18 97. Joshua Mosely, 18 98. Laquavius Hudson, 18 99. Christian Aguilar, 18 100. Robert Engleton, 18 101. Eddie Yoo, 18 102. Marlin Goodluck, 19 103. Kemorie Wallace, 19 104. Nuckeria ``Keria'' Hanis, 19 105. Dennis Collins, 20 106. Brittany Clay, 20 107. Kenneth Hubert, 20 108. Priscilla Macia, 21 109. Tabitha Jamison, 21 110. Grace Frazer, 22 111. Christian Martinez, 22 112. Raheem Shannon, 23 113. Anthony Sikora, 23 114. Sam Salehi, 24 115. Ashley Francois, 24 116. Ivan Filgueira, 26 117. Jermaine Lee, 26 118. Leon Dye, 26 119. Ahmed Jabado, 26 120. Takeisha Forbes, 26 121. TawaigPerpall, 27 122. U.S. Marine Guillermo Comme, 27 123. Nisleydis Sierra, 29 124. Deborah Ramos-Arce 125. David Fluitt 126. Alfred Alvarez 127. Johnny Eugene Brown 128. Takeeya ``KeKe'' Fulton 129. Wilfredo Siam 130. Juan Cruz 131. John Stevens 132. Manuel ``Manny'' Madruga 133. Steve Jones 134. Bassima Jabado 135. Larry Harshman 136. Lisette Iglesias 137. Pastor Paez 138. Alfredo Maestre 139. Josmel Herrera 140. Cedric Lyons 141. Rosseny Lustin 142. Renaldo ``Ziggy'' Clayton 143. Terrence Haynes 144. Enrique Gonzalez Alfonso 145. Jose Yero 146. Lorenzo Haynes 147. Gale Sikora, RN 148. Jorge Garcia-Ramirez 149. Santiago Garcia 150. Jesus Hernandez, Jr. 151. Lt. Gary King 152. Charles Whitaker 153. Rochelle Johnson 154. Raynier Miranda 155. William Selesnick 156. Kelvin Harris 157. Ryan Tolmos 158. Monroe County Sheriffs Deputy Josh Gordon 159. Isalia Hernandez 160. Sgt. Sydney Whitehouse 161. Gustavo Gutierrez-Escoria 162. Vladimie Jean-Gilles Florida's 27th Congressional District 163. James Leake, 1 164. Ekari Fussell, 10 165. Damian Escovedo, 12 166. Christian Torres, 13 167. Albert Brooks, 13 168. Steven Odeus, 14 169. Alexander Rafael Sanchez, 16 170. Stanley Blanc, 16 171. William Pagan, 16 172. Richard Hallman, 16 173. Rahkeem Zabaleta Brown, 16 174. Tayvontae Robinson, 16 175. Juan Acosta, 17 176. Danny Alvarez, 17 177. Demetric McCall, 19 178. Emilio Perez, 19 179. Priscilla Torres, 19 180. Cariann Denise Hithon, 23 181. Luis L. Herrera Kindelan 182. Francisco Martinez Jr. 183. Kamil Patel 184. Thomas Brendecke 185. Juan Garcia 186. Andres Marquez, Jr. 187. Daniel Adames 188. John Spaulding 189. Lester Machado 190. Ragelio Castro 191. Robert Young 192. Ryan Rice 193. Marcarrous Clark 194. Jose Rivero 195. Daniel Adames 196. John Spaulding 197. Ladarian Tyrell Phillips 198. Jeffery Alexander 199. Madlin Guardado 200. Yenat Guardado 201. Jose Reina 202. Mario Hortis 203. Janine Ackerman 204. Abeku Wilson 205. Jose Manuel Reyes 206. Ricardo Soler Reyes 207. Markeith Nickles 208. Terrance Carter 209. Lavon Walker 210. Michael Tito Lorenzo 211. Katrina Padgett 212. Sophia Cheeks 213. Joe Louis Padgett 214. Tania Adams 215. Alfonso Rafael Sr. 216. Alfonso Rafael Jr. 217. Margery Glickman 218. Thebaldo Tanes 219. Marcia Vazquez 220. Robetio Calixto Gomez 221. Lourdes Martinez-Rodriguez 222. Rafael Baster Sanchez 223. Bryan Gomez 224. Francisco Castro

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Americans continue to die from gun violence while this Congress does nothing to stop it. As my colleagues head out the door for their summer vacations, thousands of American families will never again experience a vacation with a loved ones because of gun violence. As my colleagues leave town to enjoy summertime picnics, thousands of American families will never again experience a summer with their loved ones lost to gun violence. As my colleagues enjoy the August recess with their family and friends, more Americans will lose family and friends to gun violence because this Congress failed to act. I include in the Record the names of many Americans that this Republican-controlled Congress has failed. Victims of Gun Violence in America--Americans Failed by a Congress too Beholden to the NRA To Act 1. Dove Lindsey, 1, 2. Abigail Buckley, 1, 3. Kamaya Lloyd, 1, 4. Jace Alexander, 2, 5. Laila Johnson, 2, 6. Paxton Edwards, 3, 7. Brinley Edwards, 4, 8. Ky'Marley Harrington, 4, 9. Jacob Edwards, 6, 10. Aidan Lindsey, 6, 11. Taylor Hayes, 7, 12. Jennifer Trejo, 9, 13. Makiyah Wilson, 10, 14. Lillia Pluth, 10, 15. Irayan Pluth, 11, 16. Vaughn Bigelow, 13, 17. Demonte Walker, 15, 18. Tyrelle Bowyer, 15, 19. Jeremiah Stewart, 16, 20. Khambrel Manning, 16, 21. Judy Wilson, 17, 22. Tranard Gray, 17, 23. Antwon Rose, 17, 24. Shakerria King, 17, 25. Captain David Rosa, 26. Olasunkanmi Esho, 27. Bourk Esho, 28. Olivia Esho, 29. Michelle Krek, 30. Michelle Krek's unborn child, 31. Dr. Mark Hausknecht, 32. Tavish Harris, 33. Jorge Colon, 34. Firefighter Emesto Torres, 35. U.S. Capitol Police Detective John Gibson, 36. U.S. Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. Chestnut, 37. Tremel Thomas, 22, 38. Officer Dave Smith, 39. Quentaun G. McClinton, 40. Tim Reddington, 24, 41. Deantate Neshonellitt LeJohn, 42. Temisha Collier, 43. Renee Isadore, 44. Antone Davis, 45. Ryan Hatchett, 46. Mary Elizabeth Madison, 47. Lavonne Wilson, 48. Melyda Corado, 49. Naader Rizk, 50. James C. Lewis, Sr., 51. Sherman Williams, 52. Spc. Austin James Sampson, 53. Robert Garcia, 54. Sergio Sanchez, 55. Rachel Dann, 56. Stephanie Curtis, 57. Janet Cook 58. Andre Charleston, 59. Avery Birthrong, 25, 60. Brandon Edward Bittner, 61. Cynthia Stack, 62. Elsie Berrios, 63. Reginald Sweet, 23, 64. Jose Lugo, 65. Shevaun, 80, 66. Christopher Goudeau, 23, 67. Dakota Ryan Bailey, 20, 68. Caleb Bowman, 18, 69. Michael W. Johnson, 70. Lisa Blankenship, 71. Christian Broder, 72. Chad Merrill, 25, 73. Angela Green, 74. Officer Bronson K. Kalila, 75. Jacob Stough, 76. Michael ``Thumbs Up Mike'' Gentry, 77. Curtis Lee Wadkins, 78. Edward Sean Aiken, 79. Laurie Suzann Colon, 80. Naiasalyn Brown, 18, 81. Brittany D. May, 82. Emesto Aybar, 83. Joseph Jehonathan Gill, 84. Jessica Finster, 20, 85. Shawn J. Manymules, 86. Devonte Ortiz, 19, 87. Clifton M. Leager, 88. Filip Kirilov, 89. Stephanie Davis, 90. Brandon Irlmeier, 20, 91. Dwayne Grimes, 19, 92. Sage Chebere, 93. Jamie Scott Barron, 94. Debora Huerta, 95. Derrick Dent, 96. Joshua Benson, 97. Aristeo Pena-Robles, 98. Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui, 99. Firefighter Charles ``Bert'' Miller, 100. Matthew Edwards, 101. Julie Burton Edwards, 102. Parish McKenzie, 21, 103. Jahseh ``XXXTentacion'' Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, California's 49th District 104. Alonso Canseco, 105. Steven Hernandez, 106. Jose Jimenez, 107. Erik Ramsey, 108. Alfredo Astorga, 109. Della Astorga, 110. Bemaldo Ramires, 111. Ines Villa, 112. Travis Whitt, 113. Kimberley Williams, 114. Richard Contreras, 115. Joel Bishop, 116. Tyler Branon, 22, 117. Dr. Weidong Henry Han, 118. Huijie Yu, 119. Emily ``Jennie'' Han, 5, 120. Timothy Harris, 121. Jordan Luis, 122. Kirsten Jelinski, 123. John Patrick Dillard, 124. Cynthia Jean Rosier Dillard, 125. Andra Sachs, 126. Brad Sachs, 127. Gregory Mulvihill, Illinois' 12th District 128. Shemita Lowery, 129. Bruce Henley Jr., 130. Aaron D. Prayer, 131. Jennaine C. Ingram, 132. Elijah S. Ingram, 133. Derrick J. Vaughn, 134. Derrick D. Garner, 135. Roosevelt Davis Jr., 136. Demarco Bush, 137. Roosevelt Davis, 138. Verree I. Pomerlee, 139. Marcus Glass, 140. Thomas I. Stines, 141. David M. Stines, 142. Keirson D. Coleman, 143. Brandon L. Brooks, 144. Cole Wierciszewski, 18, 145. Timiji Jackson, 146. Wilma Louise Aaron, 147. Billie Gene Aaron, 148. Graziano Baker, 149. Catherine Jackson, 150. Anqwan ``Quan'' Palmer, 16, 151. Javon Gibson, 152. Akeem Haynes, 153. Johnny Lovett, 154. Kaylen A. Everson, 155. Evan Koegler, 18, 156. Robeti L. Gilmore, 157. Kerwin Williams, 158. Tony Johnson, 159. Quiantez Fair, 160. Edwin D. Cook, 161. Moeshia January, 162. Larry Hardy Jr., 163. Kentrez T. Williams, 164. Burl Ritcheson, 165. Clemente ``Harry'' Morales, 166. Brenda Ritcheson, 167. Teon L. Slaughter, 168. Phillip Smith, 169. Deontavian Wilson, 170. Diondre D. Shanklin, 171. Carlos Johnson, 172. Martavion King, 18, 173. Matthew Reed, 174. Darren Henderson, 175. Michael A. Lee, 176. Deveion Edwards, 177. Kyle Keith Savant, 178. Derrance G. Taylor, 179. Edrick Wicks, 180. M'RQuan Jefferson, 19, 181. Andre D. Chapman, 182. Wilbert Hall Jr., 183. JaVon T. Trott, 184. Joseph Henagan, 185. Gregory Bryon Kinser, 186. Toni Ladd, 187. Mario A. King, 188. Deandray Jackson, 189. Jonathan Cobble, 190. Portia Adams, 191. Kiron I. Carter, 192. Kyle Watson, 193. Traveon Hunter, 194. Beth Pheasant, 195. Detrick Rogers, 196. Kevin D. Johnson, 197. DeAndre M. Davidson, 198. Jamell Bridges, 199. Timothy Holcomb, 200. Anthony Pannell Jr., 201. Amber Bieser, 202. Amber Bieser's unborn child, 203. Jessie Jamison, 204. DeAnthony Dillard, 205. Asante McCoy, 206. National Guardsman Quincy Ware, 207. Roderick D. Williams, 208. James A. Moore, 209. Lamondo Brown, 210. Jarrett Richardson, 211. Brandi Hill, 212. Morris P. Mason, 213. Preston Jermaine ``P.J.'' Rockett, 214. John E. Middlebrook, 215. Leroy Short, 19, 216. Tim Beaty, 217. Johnnie Brim, 16, 218. Romell Jones, 11, 219. DeAngelo Oliver, 220. David Stockstill Jr., 221. Kelvin Buntyn, 222. Ralph Collier, 223. Roderick Taylor, 224. Salahudin Malik Robbins, 225. Xavier Mosley, 226. Jermion D. Conley, 227. Nicholas Hood, 228. Ronald W. Martin, 229. Caseyville Sgt. Scott Miller, 230. Mitchell Coleman Jr., 231. Cortez Pickett, 232. Keon Ivory, 233. Toni Hannon, 234. John Hannon, 235. James Hubbard, 236. Sherrain House, 237. Ray Adams, 238. H. Matthew Wilder 239. Edward R. Sholar Sr., 240. Latayia Johnson, 19, 241. Kenneth Easley, 242. Christopher Nelson, 243. Anton Daniels, 16, 244. Jerray Jackson, 245. Josh Young, 246. Glen Campbell, 247. Broderick Miller, 248. Samantha Holmes, 249. Micheal Reed, 250. Marques Stewart, 251. Keon Logan, 252. Fredrick Purnell, 19, 253. Amy Smith Blaise, 254. Daniel Blaise, 255. Calvin L. Tally, 256. Myron Jordan, 16, 257. Sheila Ann Marie Hodges, 258. Jeffrey Harris, 259. Robert Okraj, 260. DeAndre L. Bell, 261. Joshua Custer, 262. Kirk Anthony, 263. Lisa K. Uzzle, 264. Melvin L. Hayes, 265. Eugene Coleman, 266. Marcus Harris, 267. Malik Garrett, 16, 268. Charles Harper, 269. Vernon K. Haynes, 270. Kenneth Deal, 271. Travis Mayes, 272. Herman S. Stewart, Jr., 273. Joyce Boxx, 274. Joseph Griggs, 275. Leon Lucas Jr., 276. Jared Blackmon, 277. Derundrae Smith III, 19, 278. Darrin Hayes II, 279. Demetrius C. Lucas, 280. Jarad L. Daughtrey, 281. Anthony D. Shelton,

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health challenges do not discriminate. They affect Americans of all ages, races, backgrounds, and genders. It doesn't matter if you are from a blue State, a red State, or a swing State. Mental illness is in your community. It affects your family and exists in your friend group and with your coworkers. Tragically, while mental health challenges impact so many people across the board, too many never see or get treatment because of the stigma associated with mental healthcare. It shames them into silence. So it is fitting that this year's theme is ``CureStigma.'' While stigma keeps far too many from seeking and receiving the care that they need, the silence of stigma plagues African American populations and other ethnic groups. It is a sad and staggering statistic that African Americans are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than their White counterparts but just 25 percent will seek care. There is a tragic inequity in that figure, given that 40 percent of their White counterparts will seek care. Is this a matter of stigma? Of access to care, culturally competent care, and associated resources? Or perhaps a combination of them all. Mr. Speaker, it is past time that we tackle the stigma associated with mental health that keeps too many trapped without hope, recourse, or recovery. As for access to care, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, all health insurance plans are required to cover mental health services, just as they would cover cancer screenings and tetanus shots. Still, this administration, either through cruelty or willful ignorance, has actively attacked the mental health requirement and sought to push bad or, as I call them, junk insurance plans that neglect mental health services. We must do better. Congress must be better. Too many, especially in vulnerable populations, are still in desperate need of this care. That is why I am proud to be cosponsoring the Mental Health in Schools Act offered by my good friend, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. This bill will provide comprehensive mental health programs to students in schools, with a special focus on dealing with trauma and violence. Congress can make a world of difference today, if we pass this bill. I am also proud to be cosponsoring the Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act introduced by my colleague from Pennsylvania, Congressman Matt Cartwright. His bill would make veterans who serve in combat zones eligible for more mental health services through the VA. This is really commonsense legislation. With more than 20 of our brave veterans committing suicide daily, it is of critical importance that we pass this bill. In closing, I want to remind everyone, my colleagues, and those watching at home on C-SPAN that mental health is something that we can all work on. Simple, small, everyday things can make a huge difference. Here is my personal top five. First, take care of your body. It is all connected. Even a little bit of exercise or even a little more sleep can improve mood, reduce stress, and improve your health all around. Second, find a stress management strategy that works for you. For some, it is reading or running, while for others, it is coffee with friends or takeout and a movie. Do whatever works for you. Third, surround yourself with good people, be it family, friends, or someone you can trust in your community. Fourth, volunteerism is a great way to get out of your own head and give back to your community. It is good for you and great for your community. Finally, if you or someone you love needs help, please get it. Don't let stigma hold you back. Mr. Speaker, as Minority Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, let's cure stigma.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today yet again because Congress continues to do nothing as Americans die from the scourge of gun violence. It is just over 2 years from the tragedy at Pulse nightclub that claimed 49 lives and changed hundreds of lives forward; 1 year since mass shootings in Baltimore, Maryland, and University City, Missouri, that claimed 2 lives and wounded 6 others; nearly 1 year since the Republican majority whip was shot just a few miles from here preparing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game; and I will add, this past weekend, 9 more wounded in Chicago and over 30 shot. Mr. Speaker, what are we doing? How can we let this continue? We have school shootings almost weekly. People are dying in their homes, in movie theaters, and in city parks; yet this House, this Republican majority, does nothing. How much longer will we allow our children and loved ones to be terrorized before we take action? Mr. Speaker, here are the names of some of the Americans that this House, this Republican majority, have failed: Patricia Carney; Jimmie Caruthers; Kriemhild Davis; Lieutenant Colonel Steven Dody; Al Gratia; Ursula Gratia; Debra Gray; Dr. Michael Griffith; Venice Henehan; Clodine Humphrey; Sylvia King; Zona Lynn; Connie Peterson; Ruth Pujol; Su-Zann Rashott; John Romero, Jr.; Thomas Simmons; Glen Arval Spivey; Nancy Stansbury; Olgica Taylor; James Welsh; Lula Welsh; Juanita Williams; Meredith Hight; Anthony Cross; Olivia Deffner; James Dunlop; Darryl Hawkins; Rion Morgan; Myah Bass; Caleb Edwards; Cassie Bernall; Steven Curnow; Corey DePooter; Kelly Fleming; Matthew Ketcher; Daniel Mauser; Daniel Rohrbough; William David Sanders; Rachel Scott; Isaiah Shoels; John Robert Tomlin; Lauren Townsend; Kyle Velasquez; Lieutenant Brian Murphy; Madison Finch; Claire Van Landingham; Samuel Rosales; Lonnie Hutcherson; Trennis Milam; Lonnie Rucker; Lazerrek T. Ellis; Deshawn D. James; Joseph Graves; Brianna Jenkins; Ciara Philumalee; Ky'yon Evans; Davion Funches; Eric Garth; Ben Wilson; Gloria McKie; Catherine Cole; Melinda Estes Glenn; Dawn E. Hearn; Sandra K. Posey; Davetta Roseboro; Barbara Grate; Joan Simon; Rhonda Fleming; Connie Waldrop; Nicole S. Thorpe; Novena Mathis; Cody B. Oller; Cory Lee Channon; Anthony Reed; Antoinette Heyward; Mary Kathleen Ard; Courtney Taylor; Kim Sophia Sanders; Leticia Shivers Brown. Mr. Speaker, I include the names of 250 additional gun violence victims into the Congressional Record. These are the names of 250 Americans this Congress has failed: Parkland Shooting Victims (34) Alyssa Alhadeff; Scott Beigel; Martin Duque; Nicholas Dworet; Aaron Feis; Jaime Guttenberg; Chris Hixon; Luke Hoyer; Cara Loughran; Gina Montalto; Joaquin Oliver; Alaina Petty; Meadow Pollack; Helena Ramsay; Alex Schachter; Carmen Schentrup; Peter Wang. Samantha Fuentes; Daniela Menescal; Alexander Dworet; Isabel Chequer; Stacey Lynn Lippel; Madeleine Wilford; Anthony Borges; Kyle Laman; Samantha Grady; Ashley Baez; Justin Colton; Marian Kabachenko; Kheshava Managapuram; Samantha Mayor; William Olson; Genesis Valentin; Benjamin Wikander. Santa Fe High School Shooting (10) Jared Conard Black; Shana Fisher; Christian Riley Garcia; Aaron Kyle McLeod; Glenda Anne Perkins; Angelique Ramirez; Sabika Sheikh; Christopher Stone; Cynthia Tisdale; Kimberly Vaughan. Sandy Hook Shooting Victims (27) Charlotte Bacon; Daniel Barden; Rachel Davino; Olivia Engel; Josephine Gay; Ana M. Marquez-Greene; Dylan Hockley; Dawn Hochsprung; Madeleine F. Hsu; Catherine V. Hubbard; Chase Kowalski; Jesse Lewis; James Mattioli; Grace McDonnell; Anne Marie Murphy; Emilie Parker; Jack Pinto; Noah Pozner; Caroline Previdi; Jessica Rekos; Avielle Richman; Lauren Rousseau; Mary Sherlach; Victoria Soto; Benjamin Wheeler; Allison N. Wyatt; Nancy Lanza. Chicago Young Gun Violence Victims 2018 (15) Malaysia Woodard; Damarcus Wilson; Larenzo Smith; Mateo Nathan Aguayo; Jose Aguilar; Joseph Smith; Jaheim Wilson; Martin Duncan; Jazmyne Jeter; David Thomas; Jechon Anderson; Demariah Bridges; Arrie Pitts; Enija Moore; Makayla Evans. Chicago Young Victims (50) Malik Mcneese; Diabolique Anderson; Bruce Owens; Willie Woodus; Clavonte Eubanks; Kanari Gentry-Bowers; Takiya Holmes; Lavontay White Jr.; Laquan Allen; Darmayah Smith; Alexis Stubbs; Corey Hill; Jacquez Mack; Daishawn Moore; Alandis Allison; Rayshon D. Price Jr.; Jesus Escobar; Xavier Soto; Kahari Stovall; Diego Villada; Demonis Johnson; Julio Cesar Garcia-Lara; Mishawn Green; Jazebel Aleman; Jaquarius Davis. Deshawn Martin; Jose Mendoza; Gustavo Garcia; Alex Gonzales; Hector Lopez Trevino; Dwayne Franklin; Keziah Shealy; Asante Glover; Daishawn Moore; Dakayla Hart; Theotis Luckett; Elijah Johnson; Alexander Gonzales; Lan'Phoray Morris; Tyree Wise; Charlie Lawrence; Eshunte Mayfield; Jeyson Gonzalez; Michael D. Hickingbottom; Melvin James Jr.; Antwon Green; Kejuan Thomas; Damien Santoyo; Brian Jasso; Clavont Eubanks. VA Tech Shooting (32) Ross Abdallah Alameddine; Brian Bluhm; Austin Cloyd; Kevin Granata; Caitlin Hammaren; Christopher James Bishop; Ryan Clark; Jocelyne Couture Nowak; Matthew G. Gwaltney; Jeremy Herbstritt; Rachel Elizabeth Hill; Emily Hilscher; Jarrett Lane; Matthew J. La Porte; Henry Lee; Liviu Librescu. G.V. Loganathan; Partahi Lumbantoruan; Lauren McCain; Daniel O'Neil; Juan Ramon Ortiz; Minal Panchal; Erin Peterson; Daniel Perez Cueva; Mike Pohle; Julia Pryde; Mary Read; Reema Samaha; Waleed Shaalan; Leslie Sherman; Maxine Turner; Nicole White. Aurora Movie Theater Shooting in Colorado (82) Jessica N. Ghawi; Micayla C. Medek; John T. Larimer; Alex M. Sullivan; Alexander J. Boik; Gordon W. Cowden; Alexander C. Teves; Matthew R. McQuinn; Jonathan T. Blunk; Jesse E. Childress; Rebecca Ann Wingo; Veronica Moser-Sullivan; Petra Anderson; Adan Avila; Jennifer Avila-Arredondo; Brandon Axelrod; Kaylin Bailey; Stephen Barton; Toni Billapando; Christina Blache. Kelly Bowen; Jarrell Brooks; Maria Carbonell; Alejandra Cardona-; Shirley Clark; Corbin Dates; Kirstin Davis; Lauren Ellis; Craig Enlund; Alex Espinoza; Evan Farris; Jacqueline Fry; Nickelas Gallup; Yousef Gharbi; Zackary Golditch; Munirah Gravelly; Eugene Han; Gage Hankins; Hailee Hensley; Amanda Hernandez-Menije. Mckayla Hicks; Richelle Hill; Nathan Juranek; Jasmine Kennedy; Marcus Kizzar; Patricia Legarreta; Kelly Lewis; Brenton Lowak; Ryan Lumba; Caleb Medley; Katie Medley; Anggiat Mora; Evan Morrison; Ashley Moser; Stefan Moton; Victor Nava; Joshua Nowlan; Pierce O'Farrill; Prodeo Patria; Rita Polina. Caitlin Peddicord; Bonnie Pourciau; Christopher Rapoza; Carli Richards; Ethan Rohrs; Jamie Rohrs; Dion Roseborough; Carey Rottman; Lucas Smith; Heather Snyder; Farrah Soudani; Catherine Streib; Daybra Thomas-Kizzar; Jamison Toews; Denise Traynom-Axelrod; Marcus Weaver; Michael White, Jr.; David Williams; Alleen Young; Jansen Young; Samantha Yowler.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. It is sad that it took me too little time to find the names of 250 Americans killed by gun violence, sad because we could save lives but refuse to do so. We could save other families from enduring this trauma and pain if the majority could find the courage to put American lives before NRA checks and Big Gun lobbies.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Pride Month. For generations and across industries, LGBTQ Americans have directly contributed to America's greatness. Chicagoland is home to many of these leaders, like Carol A. Johnson, a union and HIV activist; Kim Hunt, a policy expert; the late Vernita Gray, a community activist; business leaders like Fred Eychaner and Tracy Baim. In the last few years, we have made remarkable progress towards equality. On June 26, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of marriage equality for all Americans, yet much work still remains. Trans Americans are still too often the victims of violence, harassment, and exploitation. Too many struggling with who they are or whom they love resort to self-harm and suicide. And, sadly, we have a man in the White House who is unwilling to recognize June as Pride Month. Despite these challenges, LGBTQ Americans and their family, including me, stand as united as ever, and we will keep pushing until real, true, and lasting equality isn't just encoded in law but encoded in our hearts. Happy Pride.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Congresswoman Clarke leading this gun violence session. I will tell her, it is sickening to me that I am here again. I cannot believe I have been here 5 years and we have not brought one gun violence prevention piece of legislation to the floor. There is legislation that a variety of people want to bring to the floor, but for some apparent reason, Speaker Ryan and Speaker Boehner before him, I guess they don't care enough about our kids dying not only in schools, not only in mass shootings, but dying in the streets of various cities in our Nation. It is absolutely ridiculous. American children are being massacred. They are being massacred in city parks and in classrooms, at movie theaters, concerts, and even in their car seats, because of this Congress's criminal--that is what I said, criminal--inaction on gun violence. Last week, instead of debating broadly supported legislation to ensure a background check on every gun sale, we spent hours debating a deeply flawed farm bill that would take food out of the mouths of hungry American children. I don't think we care about children in this Congress, at least my colleagues on the other side. This disaster of a farm bill failed because it didn't meet the needs of American farmers and families, just like we are failing to meet the needs of American families on gun safety. Mr. Speaker, couldn't we have better spent our time debating and advancing a bill to save lives? Shouldn't we be more interested in protecting the lives of American children? Instead of working to take food away from hungry children, perhaps we should work to take guns away from dangerous individuals. Mr. Speaker, I wish I could say last week's events in Santa Fe, Texas, were unusual. I wish I would say this never happens, that it that was unusual or a freak accident. But that is not true. In fact, one of the young ladies said she was not surprised. It has been happening all over and she knew it would come to her school. That is an absolute shame that that young lady said that. I wish I could say that about Palmdale, California, or Mobile Alabama; Parkland, Florida, or Raytown, Missouri. But I can't and I won't because, again, it is not true. School shootings are no longer unusual, no longer shocking. They happen nearly every week in our Nation. It is only May 21 and we have already had 22 school shootings this year. Twenty-two school shootings in a matter of 5 months. Yet, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle see no problem with this. The GOP offers thoughts and prayers, but nothing in the order of solutions or actions. Do you hear what the people are saying? They don't want any more thoughts and prayers. They shun TV and radio interviews about this crisis, while mothers and fathers cry themselves asleep in an empty house. They speak about investing in mental health and expanding school security, while people who should never have guns walk into gun shows and walk out with the latest in military-grade weapons. They produce a budget that really takes away from mental health. We are better than that and the American people certainly deserve better than that. Every single day, Mr. Speaker, there is a mother burying her child because of gun violence. Every single day, dreams of college, a career, and a family get packed into tiny pine boxes because of House Republicans' gross negligence and inaction. One thing is crystal clear: While the House majority may not have pulled the trigger, it is a blind embrace of inaction that makes it just as guilty--guilty for the murder of Bailey Holt, 15, in Benton, Kentucky; guilty for the murder of Jaelynn Willey, 16, in Lexington Park, Maryland; and guilty for the murder of Martin Duncan, 16, of Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Speaker, you have heard us say it over and over: How many more? When is enough enough? How much more guilt will you bear? How many more times will we hold moments of silence with no follow-through on action? When will this Congress have a fraction of the courage that Scott Beigel showed at Parkland? When will House Republicans follow the example of Victoria Leigh Soto in Newtown and actually protect kids' lives? When will Speaker Ryan show the slightest bit of courage that Aaron Feis had? Instead of finding the courage to act, this House, this Speaker, the majority have stood on the sidelines while kids die, and all because of those big, fat NRA checks and because they don't have the courage. That is disgusting and it is wrong. As we look to assign responsibility for these mass shootings, as we ask ourselves: Why all the violence? Where did it come from? As we ask ourselves: Why does this keep happening? We need to look no further than Longworth 1233, Speaker Ryan's office, for the responsibility of inaction, the responsibility of omission, and the responsibility of being too beholden to the NRA to save lives, instead of beholden to the people of this country, to the mothers and fathers who have lost their kids, to the future kids going to school. When will it end?

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about something critical to each and every person in the House and the millions of Americans whom we represent: our health. It is no secret that the Affordable Care Act was an important start toward increasing access to care and addressing long-lingering health disparities that plague our communities. Thanks to the ACA, millions of Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare, many for the first time. The impacts have been positive across the country, but especially in the African American community, where the uninsured rate has been cut in half. Mr. Speaker, this is remarkable progress, but we still have a long way to go. Globally, the U.S. ranks 24th in healthcare. Let me say that again. We, the United States, the richest country in the history of the world, ranks 24th when it comes to healthcare. Nations like Slovenia, Antigua, and Barbuda outrank us. Mr. Speaker, that is outrageous. We can and must do better. One area we desperately need to do better in is mental health. One in five Americans--that is more than 40 million of us--suffer from a mental health condition. Thankfully, the Affordable Care Act mandated, for the first time, that mental health services be included in coverage. But stigma and a persistent lack of access to care continue to prevent many from seeking and receiving treatment. It is estimated that more than half of those struggling with a mental health condition cannot, or do not, receive the care that they need. This Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to challenge my colleagues to join efforts to end stigma and bring these issues out into the open: join a rally, send a tweet on available services in your district, or host a roundtable with veterans who are struggling. Do something, anything, to help deconstruct the stigma. If every Member of this House did something, that is more than 440 moments to help tear down this stigma that keeps too many struggling without care. This month, May, is also Lupus Awareness Month. Despite affecting more than 1.5 million Americans, lupus is poorly understood and often overlooked even by medical professionals. It is estimated that a patient with lupus will go 6 years before they finally receive an accurate diagnosis. More than 90 percent of those living with lupus are women, and a disproportionate number are people of color. In fact, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans are as much as three times more likely to be diagnosed with lupus than White Americans. I hope that this House will mark May and Lupus Awareness Month by recommitting research, improved awareness, and increased access to care to support the 1.5 million Americans living with lupus. This month, I also want to draw attention to the fact that more than 75 million of us suffer from high blood pressure. Tragically, more than half--or 38 million--of us do not have this condition under control, leading to worsening complications, including heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in this country. High blood pressure is often called the silent killer, and I know that nearly every one of us in this House has a story of losing a friend or loved one to stroke or a heart attack. Again, as with nearly every disease, African Americans are disproportionately impacted. In fact, more than 40 percent of African American women and men have high blood pressure. Our community often tends to develop this disorder earlier and experience it more severely than our White counterparts. So this month I challenge everyone to ``embrace the squeeze'' and get your blood pressure checked. Knowing is half the battle, and it can save your life. We have a chance for Congress to tackle these issues head-on. Next week, my dear friend, mentor, and colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, will introduce the Health Equity and Accountability Act, also known as the HEAA bill. This bill, that I have personally had the honor of introducing last Congress, takes a comprehensive look at where we need to address Americans' health disparities crisis. I hope that all Members will take a careful look at this important bill and join us as cosponsors. While many of these health disparities have existed for years, they don't need to persist. We can address them, we can solve problems, so let's get to it.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Reverend Andrew D. Singleton, Jr., pastor of Victory Apostolic Church in my hometown of Matteson, Illinois, as today's guest chaplain. For more than 20 years, Pastor Singleton has been a powerful and positive force in our community working to improve the lives and futures of our neighbors while tending to their spiritual needs. Pastor Singleton has a unique gift of communicating a message of faith, justice, and equality across generations. I could not be prouder to welcome him and his inspirational voice to Capitol Hill, especially at this critical time for our Nation. I hope his words serve as an example and challenge to this Congress to redouble our efforts to uplift and empower families and communities. Thank you, Pastor Singleton, for joining us and leading us in prayer.

Ms. KELLY

Ms. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust to commemorate National Minority Health Month and to challenge Congress to take bold action to end health disparities that continue to plague our communities. Mr. Speaker, it is a sad fact that in America your race, class, and ZIP Code very much determine how long you will live and how healthy you will be; whether you will die of a heart attack in your forties or develop type 2 diabetes and lose a limb. These three factors speak volumes about your life and health. That is just wrong, and it is up to us to change that. From cradle to grave, and at every stage in between, people of color, low-income people, rural Americans, Native Americans, and first- generation Americans are sicker, receive less care, have less access to care, and, tragically, die sooner. In 2010, we took a major leap forward with the passage of the Affordable Care Act. This law has started to reduce these disparities by increasing access to care, ensuring mental healthcare, expanding research, and creating a pipeline of doctors and medical professionals from underrepresented communities. A major result of the ACA has been to cut the excessive risk of cancer death in half for African-American men. The same risk factor for Black women was reduced by seven points, according to the American Cancer Society's 2017 report. They clearly state: ``Increasing access to care as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may contribute to a further narrowing of the racial gap across all population groups.'' However, the ACA is not just fighting cancer. It is improving other aspects of care and increasing access to care. While the Affordable Care Act has made major strides, disparities remain deeply entrenched in our society and our healthcare system today. Today, I would like to talk about several of them. The first and most entrenched is access to care. Far too often, the sickest among our neighbors are those with the least access to the care they need. They cannot see a provider because they can't afford it, can't get the time off work, can't find transportation; or there is simply no care available in their community. Let's work together to make sure that everyone can get the care they need, no matter where they live, whether in a city, the suburbs, or on a farm. This Minority Health Month, we must also address the challenge of mental health being stigmatized in communities of color. We know that African Americans are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than their White counterparts, but just 25 percent will seek care, compared to 40 percent of White Americans. Thankfully, there are some great organizations, like New York City's First Lady Chirlane McCray's Cities Thrive Coalition, working to deconstruct the stigma and improve access to care, but much work remains. Just like with mental health, another health subset, maternal health, shows stark differences between different demographic groups. Mr. Speaker, it is a shame and a tragedy that America is the only developed nation where women die from childbirth now more than they did in the recent past. Despite technology and innovation, it is becoming more dangerous to have a child, especially for women of color. Growing your family shouldn't mean putting your life on the line. In the coming weeks, I will be introducing comprehensive legislation to start pushing these numbers down. Another public health crisis that affects some groups more than others is the issue of gun violence. Last month, hundreds of thousands of young people and supporters came to Washington, D.C., to challenge Congress to act and save lives. Millions more marched in their own cities with the same message. Like all public health issues, people of color, women, and rural Americans are far more impacted by gun violence. In fact, it remains the leading cause of death for African-American men from birth to 44. We are also tragically seeing spikes in rural and veteran suicides by guns, another public health issue that this House has ignored. Despite these calls for action and the cold, hard facts, this House has yet to act to save lives. Now, Mr. Speaker, I just spoke extensively about many problems and challenges facing the health of Americans, but I want to close by highlighting some recent successes to end health disparities. First, this February, this House passed my Action for Dental Health Act, a bill that will better target existing resources to more effectively deliver oral and dental healthcare to underserved communities and populations. And finally, I want to praise the new leaders in the medical, research, and advocacy professions who are working to end these deeply entrenched disparities. Next week, I will honor the National Minority Quality Forum's 40 Under 40, young leaders in the healthcare field who are working to support and empower minority communities to live longer, healthier lives. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to challenge this House to follow the example of these young people and come together to improve the health of all Americans, especially those who have been forgotten for far too long.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as February's National Children's Dental Health Month draws to a close, I thank Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone for their leadership in making sure that this bill came to the floor today. It has been a tremendous honor to work with my colleague, Mr. Simpson from Idaho, in moving this legislation that I am intensely passionate about--the Action for Dental Health Act. I want to acknowledge that, while Members of this Chamber may not always see eye-to-eye on matters of health policy, I am proud that my colleagues were able to work together in a constructive, compassionate, and considerate way to address the critical public health matter of improving oral health in America. Mr. Speaker, all Americans deserve a healthy smile; but, sadly, each year, tens of millions of Americans forego needed oral healthcare due to poverty, fear, language or cultural barriers, or the simple fact that there isn't a dentist in the area in which they live. We know that regular visits to a dentist can do more than keep your smile attractive. They can tell a whole lot about your overall health, including whether or not you may be developing a disease like diabetes, or if you are at risk for a stroke. Fifty million Americans live in places with limited access to dental care, and economically vulnerable adults are almost twice as likely to have had no dental care in the previous year than Americans in middle- and upper-income brackets. Dental problems are a leading problem of school absences for kids and missed work for parents. Oral health has a direct relationship with school performance. Kids who reported having recent tooth pain were four times more likely to have a low grade point average--below the median GPA of 2.8--when compared to children without oral pain, according to a study by the Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California My bill improves oral health for Americans by breaking down barriers to care. It allows organizations to qualify for oral health grants to support activities that improve oral health education and dental disease prevention. This includes developing and expanding outreach programs that will facilitate establishing dental homes for children and adults, including the elderly, blind, and disabled. The Action for Dental Health Act has received the endorsement of the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association, and a bipartisan coalition of our congressional colleagues. On a final note, I would like to thank the staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee; Mia Keeys on my staff; Jamie McNeil with Congressman Simpson; and also Dr. Cheryl Watson-Lowry, who came to testify on behalf of the bill, in working together to help shepherd the bill before us today. I am a true believer in the power of order and bipartisanship in making a difference in the lives of the families we represent. The process of working with you all in advancing this bill has truly strengthened my belief in that power.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague, Mr. Evans, for yielding and for his leadership. I associate myself with the words of my colleagues who have already spoken. Mr. Speaker, I never tire in my call to end senseless gun violence. But I am emboldened this evening by the grassroots movement we have seen from the brave and bright students that survived the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which took the lives of 17 of their classmates and teachers. These brave students remind me of the determined young people I have come to know in the Chicago area who have been calling for change. Mr. Speaker, I ask my Republican colleagues: Do you remember the terror you felt this past summer on the baseball diamond when you were senselessly attacked with a rifle? Do you remember the terror you felt as grown men? Now imagine being a teenager, without the protection of trained Capitol Police officers at your side, being senselessly attacked with an AR-15. Imagine being raised in a world where fear of being shot at school, on your block, or in a park was a daily reality. Countless daily shootings that do not make the news certainly don't spur you to act. Losing 20 elementary school students didn't spur you to act. A colleague suffering a severe brain injury didn't spur you to act. You, yourselves, being the targets hasn't even spurred you to act. In the aftermath of Parkland, our children have made one thing abundantly clear: If you do not act to end this senseless violence, America will replace you with bold leaders who will. The solutions are simple: mandatory background checks on all gun sales, including purchases online and at gun shows, and tightening the background check system; closing the loopholes; removing weapons of war from our streets; implementing gun violence protective orders; allowing scientists to study this issue for what it is, a public health crisis; and investing in programs that provide young people with hope so they put down guns and pick up pens, pencils, books and job skills; when appropriate, access to mental health. You cut the budget to mental health, yet you blame mental health as the reason these things are happening. None of these proposals are new. In my first term in Congress, I issued the Kelly Report, studying this issue, with each of these recommendations. I will gladly provide every Member of this House a copy. The solutions and the choice are clear. Will you stand up to the NRA? Will you even read my report? Our children are demanding it.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I couldn't be in this job if I wasn't an optimist, believe me. I think people hear me. It is whether they are willing to act. There are bipartisan bills ready to go; bipartisan bills. Some bills are sponsored by Republicans, some by Democrats. They have a lot of cosponsors, but the leadership has to hear; the leadership has to want to do something. Actually, the leadership on both sides has been very, very silent, unfortunately. But I am hoping that the pressure will continue to be put on by everybody across this United States.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because, on a day when schoolchildren should be thinking about baseball tryouts, prom, and college selections, again they head to school living the reality that a gun may strike them down at any moment. Today 17 children will never again return to their school in Florida, casualties in America's 18th shooting in 44 days. Once again parents and counselors will have to bring the comfort and security that this Congress refuses to offer. This week in Chicago, a decorated police commander, Paul Bauer, was shot and killed, another officer lost in a disturbing trend of police shootings that we have not addressed either. Mr. Speaker, Melissa Falkowski, a teacher in that school, asked when Congress will do something. A student said, The country needs to look in the mirror. He said, We cannot get used to this. This cannot become the norm. Do you remember the terror you felt as grown men on that baseball field? Well, imagine those young people in that school, in our neighborhoods, at a concert, in a park. Despite your words, your prayers, you have proven over and over you don't care about anyone but yourselves and your contributions. It is sickening, and shame on you.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, February is National Children's Dental Health Month. During this month, we raise awareness about the importance of oral health, especially for America's kids. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease--five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Oral health status is directly tied to academic achievement and school attendance. One way we can fix this is by passing my Action for Dental Health Act, H.R. 2422, which was unanimously reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee on September 25. This bipartisan bill is cosponsored by 83 Members and supported by the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association, and 39 other advocacy groups. Once enacted, this bill will empower the CDC to deliver more and better healthcare to underserved populations, especially urban and rural communities, and increase education about the importance of oral health. I am proud to be working with Congressman Mike Simpson from Idaho on this bipartisan bill. I ask the Speaker to schedule a vote on the bill before the end of National Children's Dental Health Month. Lastly, I would like to wish my colleagues and constituents a Happy Valentine's Day.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank one of my longest serving staff members, Jay Cho, who will be departing my team this Friday. Jay volunteered to be part of my very first intern class. Jay grew to be a vital piece of my operation, and in no short time, I asked him to join my staff in a permanent capacity. He climbed through the ranks of my office, serving as my legislative assistant and right hand in handling technology issues for the Oversight and Government Reform Committee's IT Subcommittee. Jay is the kind of person this Congress and country need more of. Forging relationships on both sides of the aisle, his efforts were critical in passing legislation to modernize government technology and make government websites mobile friendly. I am honored to have had the privilege to work with Jay, and on behalf of the people of Illinois he served for nearly 5 years, I would like to thank him for his hard work and dedication.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because the majority is working to pass a tax scam that will raise taxes on my constituents. For nearly a year, Republicans have promised tax reform that benefits middle class families. Once again, there is a big difference between what the majority says and what the majority does. Instead of being a tax break for middle class Americans, it is a tax scam that will force hardworking Illinois moms and dads to pay the bill for tax giveaways to the rich and well connected. That is just wrong. Mr. Speaker, the American people know it is a scam. A new poll from Monmouth University found that half of all Americans believe this GOP tax scam will raise their taxes. These folks are right. It will raise their taxes, especially for families in Illinois and in the Second District. Mr. Speaker, I will never vote to raise my constituents' taxes just to pay for massive tax giveaways to major corporations and a handful of superwealthy families. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' and stand with America's middle class and working families, the backbone of our Nation.