Thompson, Moskowitz Release Statements on 6th Anniversary of Parkland Shooting
Washington – Today, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force ChairRep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) released the following statements on the 6th anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
“Six years ago, 17 innocent people were gunned down in cold blood at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. 17 others were injured, and the entire community was left scarred from a traumatic event that is too common in our country,” said Thompson. “The anniversary of this shooting is a grave reminder of the trauma that remains for the families of those lost. The families of the students never got to see their child graduate from high school, go to college, start a family, and live a full and healthy life. Today, we remember those lost and honor their memories.
“In the wake of this shooting, Florida stepped up and showed that despite partisan rhetoric, progress was possible. The Florida Legislature passed red flag laws and raised the age to purchase firearms. It’s clear that there is a desire to keep our communities safe from the impact of gun violence. The only place that gun violence prevention is a partisan issue is in the United States Congress. To honor the memory of those lost, we must take action to pass legislation that will help save lives and keep our communities safe.”
“February 14, 2018, feels like yesterday. It was the day that changed our community forever. The images of that day still haunt me. We remember the victims and the families of those lost six years ago today – all because they went to school on Valentine’s Day.Those families still have empty chairs at their dinner table, today’s anniversary is just another day without their loved ones. For me, it’s a reminder of how government and its elected leaders failed those children, adults, and families 6 years ago.This is why I fight every day to prevent other families from being drafted into an exclusive club no one wants to belong to. It is why I have organized guided visits with Members of Congress to come to MSD to show them the true aftermath of a mass shooting, what went wrong, and how this is preventable. This solemn day is about the victims and their loved ones. Please join me in remembering the 14 students and 3 staff members at MSD who were taken from us too soon,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
“Today, we remember the 17 lives lost and 17 injured at the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and the two who later died from the unbearable grief of the shooting. Today and every day, we must hold the Parkland community close in our hearts, grounding ourselves in why we do this work — to prevent the next tragedy,” said Natalie Fall, the Executive Director of March For Our Lives. “In the past six years, young people have led the way and transformed gun safety from a third-rail issue to one that defines elections and policy discussions. We’ve passed over 300 gun safety laws and championed historic change at the federal level with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. And yet, gun violence rages on. Our work must go on. If we dream of a future free of gun violence, then we must work proactively to combat this epidemic — not wait for the next round of bullets.”
Today, Rep. Thompson honors those lost in Parkland:
- Alyssa Alhadeff, 14
- Scott Beigel, 35
- Martin Duque, 14
- Nicholas Dworet, 17
- Aaron Feis, 37
- Jaime Guttenberg, 14
- Chris Hixon, 49
- Luke Hoyer, 15
- Cara Loughran, 14
- Gina Montalto, 14
- Joaquin Oliver, 17
- Alaina Petty, 14
- Meadow Pollack, 18
- Helena Ramsay, 17
- Alex Schachter, 14
- Carmen Schentrup, 16
- Peter Wang, 15