[Page H858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CHILDREN SHOULD GROW UP WITHOUT FEAR OF GUN VIOLENCE

  (Mr. ALLRED asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. ALLRED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor survivors during 
National Gun Violence Survivors Week.
  Tragically, this week, sisters Deja and Abbaney Matts of Garland were 
killed, and Abbaney's toddler was injured at a shooting at Texas A&M-
Commerce University. The shooter was believed to be her ex-boyfriend, 
who was recently charged with aggravated assault for attacking Abbaney.
  I send my deepest condolences to the Matts family.
  To honor the Matts and to underscore the need for action, I want to 
share a letter 6-year-old Cal Bingham of Rowlett sent me after the mass 
shootings in El Paso at Midland. He wrote: ``When kids get shot, that's 
less friends to play with. When I grow up, I don't want to hear about 
anymore on the news about people being killed with guns. What are you 
going to do to help make us safer?''
  I want my son, Jordan, and kids like Cal to grow up without fear of 
gun violence. I call on the Senate to act and pass the bipartisan bills 
that we have passed in this House, including background checks and the 
Violence Against Women Act. Our children are watching.

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