Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) announced details of the Health Subcommittee field hearing this Thursday, Oct. 3, at 9:30 am CT at Kennedy-King College in Chicago, Illinois on the public health threat of gun violence.
Who: Members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee and witness testimony from:
Niva Lubin-Johnson, MD, Immediate Past President, National Medical Association
Selwyn O. Rogers, Jr. MD, MPH, Chief, Section for Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Founding Director, Trauma Center, University of Chicago Medicine
Ronald Stewart, MD, Chair, Department of Surgery, University of Texas San Antonio Health Science Center
Norman Kerr, Director of Violence Prevention, City of Chicago
Pastor Brenda K. Mitchell, Mother of Kenneth D. Mitchell, Jr.
Spencer Leak, Sr., President and CEO, Leak and Sons Funeral Home
What: An Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee field hearing entitled, “A Public Health Crisis: The Gun Violence Epidemic in America"
When: Thursday, Oct. 3, at 9:30 am (CDT)
Where: The Great Hall at Kennedy-King College (KKC), 6301 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60621
“Gun violence is an epidemic that not only plagues my hometown of Chicago, but also undermines the public health and safety of communities across the United States," said Congressman Bobby L. Rush (IL-1). “Since 2017, I have been calling for a hearing such as this one to take place in my district, and I am pleased that we are finally able to convene to discuss this important issue. I am confident that this hearing will shine a bright light on this epidemic, and I am equally optimistic that we will walk away with tangible solutions to better protect our communities from the menace of gun violence."
“This nation’s gun violence epidemic is a public health crisis," said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9). “It is well past time that we address this issue through a public health lens and protect the human right to live in a safe and healthy community. I am proud that Energy and Commerce Democrats are holding a hearing in the heart of Chicagoland on how we can cure the chronic disease that is gun violence. I hope that the Senate Majority Leader will be listening and will finally do his job and pass common sense gun control."
“Gun violence has become a tragic daily occurrence in Chicagoland and these tragedies have given birth to countless committed and engaged activists. They have turned their personal pain into action and advocacy for lifesaving gun safety legislation. This field hearing allows Members of Congress to see this epidemic up close and personal. It’s important that Congress hear from the families and community leaders who are on the front lines working to stop the violence," said Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce. “I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Pallone and Chairwoman Eshoo for bringing this important field hearing to Chicago. Our city has experienced too much gun violence. The terrible truth is that much of it is preventable, if the Senate would act on commonsense background and gun trafficking laws. The solutions to gun violence are out there. The question remains, will our GOP colleagues join us in protecting American lives?"
“Gun violence is a national public health threat that demands federal action," Pallone and Eshoo said. “This week, we will hold a field hearing in Chicago to learn more about the gun violence crisis and the need for our public health agencies to conduct research into this ongoing epidemic. The hearing will bring together community members, care providers and policy experts for a community-centered discussion on ways to intervene in these senseless tragedies that have become all too common throughout our country. This critical discussion will be instructive on how to better protect our communities from the scourge of gun violence."
Information for this hearing, including the Committee Memorandum, witness list, testimony and a live webcast will be posted HERE as they become available.
