Local Leaders have their own State of the Union Message for Congressman Latham

 

Des Moines, IA - When the President addresses gun violence in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, Rep. Tom Latham will have the voices of his constituents ringing in his ears -imploring him to support the common sense measures for gun violence prevention.

 

That's because on Monday, Feb. 11 at 11 AM, Iowa Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, Tiffany Woods, Rev. Carlos Jayne, Rev. Cheryl Thomas, Connie Ryan Terrell, and concerned citizens will gather in U.S. Rep. Latham's district at the state capitol building to give their own State of the Union address to the Congressman on the importance of tackling gun violence, a plague that is snuffing out the lives of thirty-three people including nearly nine children and teenagers in America every single day.

 

Next week marks the two-month anniversary of the nightmare in Newtown, CT, where 20 six- to seven-year-old children and six adults were senselessly gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary by a gunman armed with a Bushmaster AR-15 military-style assault rifle. While the community of Newtown is only beginning its long, for some endless, road to recovery, the devastation wrought there has appallingly become all too common in America. In fact, Newtown was one of 43 mass shootings?nearly one per month? that have occurred in the last four years.

 

WHO: State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad

Tiffany Woods, Mother of Corey Hamilton, victim of gun violence

Rev. Carlos Jayne, Iowans for Gun Safety

Rev. Cheryl Thomas, One Million Moms for Gun Safety-Iowa

Connie Ryan Terrell, Executive Director, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

 

WHAT: Press Conference to urge Congressman Latham to do the right thing and support the Gun Violence Prevention Actions the President is calling for during the State of The Union

 

WHERE: Iowa State Capitol, Room 24

East 9th & Grand Ave

Des Moines, Iowa

 

WHEN: Monday, February 11 at 11:00 a.m.

 

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Dear Neighbor,

As a father and grandfather, the events that happened in Newtown, Connecticut were truly heart wrenching.  Our entire nation's thoughts, prayers and gratitude went to the first responders, teachers and administrators who acted so heroically to protect the children. 

In the wake of this tragedy, I called for a national conversation to begin about how to address the troubling frequency with which lives have been cut short by senseless violence.  This conversation needed to start at home, which is why I have hosted a series of meetings and roundtables with folks from across the state; have talked with sheriffs and police chiefs; sat down with teachers, administrators and school officials; and heard directly from mental health experts.

Now I want to hear from you.  As your representative, my first priority is to make sure that the voices of the Second District are heard.   My office has received thousands of emails, letters and phone calls about school safety, the need to address mental health issues, and gun safety. Now it is time to talk directly with you.  Your input and insight are important to me. 

That is why I am holding a telephone town hall on Wednesday, February 13^th at 6:00 PM CST. You are invited to save the date, sign up here, and join in a conversation about gun safety, school safety and mental health care.

Thank you for placing your trust and confidence in me to be your voice.  I am committed to working for Iowans and look forward to hearing from you about this important topic.Also, feel free to forward this to your family and friends, I want to hear from as many Iowans as possible. 

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

CHICAGO- February 4, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: SB 281

An Act Concerning: State Government

Allows for the continuation, validation and re-enactment of a provision authorizing the Capital Development Board to charge certain contract administration fees that were inadvertently repealed on June 30, 2012.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1543

An Act Concerning: Safety

Extends Wireless 911 Sunset from April 1, 2013 until July 1, 2013.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

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SPRINGFIELD, IL - To ensure that law-abiding gun owners have a voice to defend their Second
Amendment rights, state Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) has joined a new legislative working
group designed to lead the conversation about gun rights in Illinois. Smiddy has also signed
on as a co-sponsor for HB 997, a bill that would provide guidelines for the concealed carry of
firearms in Illinois.

"For too long in Illinois, law-abiding citizens have been denied their basic Second Amendment
rights because of a vocal and influential minority," said Smiddy, a critic of the state's gun
control laws. "This is an opportunity for gun rights advocates to finally play a role in shaping
firearms policy in Illinois.

In December, a federal appeals court ruled Illinois' ongoing ban on concealed carry
unconstitutional and gave the state a 180 day deadline to pass a concealed carry bill. While the
state's Attorney General is appealing the decision, gun rights supporters are confident that the
ruling will be upheld.

The bipartisan firearms working group, led by Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, is comprised of new
lawmakers from all regions of the state and all sides of the gun rights debate. The group will
meet with stakeholders and be a vital part of the debate in Springfield.

"Gun owners who have followed the law and played by the rules deserve to have a voice in
any proposed changes, "said Smiddy. "I intend to be that voice. I will be a strong activist in this
working group to make sure that we're not left with a watered down version of a concealed
carry law."

For more information, contact Smiddy's office at (309) 848-9098 or RepSmiddy@gmail.com.
Residents can also call toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

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