Speech Writing Capstone
Sierra Rodriguez – Final Speech
Written as a non-specified mother in Congress, it is not based on any person in real life.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for granting me this time. I extend my gratitude to my esteemed colleagues for opening up this discussion. Specifically, I thank Representative Aguliar for bringing this timely bill to the house floor. I not only recognize the gravity of the issue for my home district in Florida but for Americans nationwide. We all have school children who come to us reminding us of the new reality that they have to face in the continued rise of school shootings due to the proliferation of AR-15’s. That is why I stand here advocating for a bipartisan effort to address the issue of mass shootings driven by the proliferation of AR-15’s. I, for one, know the impact that the easy access to AR-15’s has had on our society. I know we all remember the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School just five years ago. The shooter entered the building that day hiding behind the power of an AR-15: a weapon of war. The lives lost that day not only affected members of my district but also many others across the state and the country.
However, I think it is important to use my time today to remind you of the impact it has left on too many children from my home state of Florida. Just this past week, I met a student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Izzy was widely known for their cheerful demeanor and passion for photography, surrounded by a tight-knit group of friends who shared a love for capturing the beauty in everyday moments. On February 14th, 2018, Izzy’s innocent life was shattered by the unthinkable: a mass shooting in her High School where the shooter used an AR-15 to murder her classmates. Miraculously, she survived physically unharmed, but the emotional scars ran deep. In the aftermath, the town of Parkland rallied around the survivors, including our once fearless photographer, offering empathy, support, and counseling. Despite this outpouring of love, life for Izzy, she would never be the same. The once-vibrant young student became more withdrawn, haunted by the memories of that tragic day.
Photography, once a source of joy, became a therapeutic outlet. Izzy started using their camera not only to capture beauty but also as a way to process the lingering pain. The lens became a tool for healing, allowing them to focus on the positive moments that still existed in their life. With time, Izzy became an advocate for mental health and gun violence prevention. They channeled their experience into creating awareness, emphasizing the importance of fostering a safe and supportive environment for students. Their journey inspired others, reminding the community of the resilience that could emerge from tragedy. As the years passed, the scars remained, but so did the strength. Izzy, once a survivor of a harrowing event, transformed into a beacon of hope for others. The impact of that day persisted, but so did the determination to create a world where no student would have to endure such pain again.
As a parent, I've concluded that our children must be descendants of mythical beings with an innate ability to defy the laws of gravity and common sense. It's like we believe our little ones are equipped with an anti-boo-boo force field that turns scraped knees into mere suggestions of discomfort. As a parent, I find myself marveling at their capacity to treat the living room like a miniature obstacle course, navigating toys and furniture with the grace of acrobats. We proudly bestow superhero titles upon them, convinced that they possess a secret recipe for resilience, while we fumble through the parenting manual like apprentice wizards. Our kids, with their unbridled energy and accidental somersaults, continue to baffle us, leaving us to wonder if they're made of sturdier stuff than we are or if we're just witnessing the world's cutest magic show.
However, as we stand here today it is clear they are not invincible. Many young students' lives have been too easily destroyed by a mass murderer with an AR-15. Ultimately, the younger generations who have been plagued with listening to stories like Izzys and who have been trained to fear for their lives in schools are looking to us for answers. Our youth are looking to see if it is possible for us to come together and pass legislation that will help prevent the same devastation from occurring in other communities nationwide. They want to see that the lives lost in Parkland matter, and that we, as a Congress, are willing to extend beyond party lines to sign into law legislation that protects students nationwide.
AR-15’s are one of the key common factors in US mass shootings. Specifically, in the last three years, 59% of mass shootings have involved the use of an AR-15, with the number rising. While most gun accidents still involve handguns and much work needs to be done to help protect our communities from hand gun violence, the ultimate need for passing an assault weapons ban is to get weapons of wars off our streets. I pose this question to my Republican colleagues: would you prefer to defend the NRA who is literally continuing to stimulate, promote, and encourage the proliferation of war weapons in our society to defend against imaginary threats? Or, will you legacy be that of defending the real lives of innocent children who have done nothing to deserve living in daily mortal fear at school. Can we all agree that no student should live with such fear? Is there any real question as to what matters more?
It is inescapably clear that today we face a pressing issue with the proliferation of assault weapons in our society. This is not a matter of party lines, but a shared responsibility to protect American lives. In addressing the concerning rise in gun massacres, particularly those involving automatic rifles, we must set aside partisan differences and work towards a bipartisan solution. The rise in gun massacres, fueled by the unchecked availability of assault weapons, underscores the pressing need for immediate action. This is not a matter of partisan politics; it's about safeguarding the lives of our fellow Americans and ensuring the security of our communities.
We know assault weapons bans work. I will remind you that on September 13th, 1994 President Clinton signed the federal assault weapons ban into law as a common sense measure to save the loss of innocent lives to mass gun violence. It was a bipartisan effort that featured support from prominent former presidents across party lines. Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan went as far to co-author a letter to the House supporting the ban as a quote “matter of vital importance to the public safety.” However, since the expiration of the assault weapons ban, there has been no federal regulation over assault weapons. As a result, we have seen a 183 precent increase in gun massacres of six or more people at once since that ban expired. The evidence is indisputable: assault weapons bans save lives.
Given these statistics, alongside the horror stories we have heard from our constituents, it should be abundantly clear what the solution is. We must act now and reinstate the national assault weapons ban that is proposed today. It is essential that the passage of this bill be rooted in the bipartisan consensus of the past as it sends the strongest message to American’s nationwide that we as politicians, care more about our voters lives than the manufacturers of weapons of war. By building upon the landmark agreement of 1994, we too can author legislation that addresses the evolving landscape of gun violence and provides robust measures to keep assault weapons out of the wrong hands. We must work collaboratively to strengthen our nation's defenses against the devastating impact of these weapons. Our constituents deserve no less than our full commitment to their safety, and I implore my Republican colleagues to stand with us in this critical endeavor. Together, we can pass comprehensive gun safety measures, including an assault weapons ban, to protect our communities and preserve the sanctity of American lives.
In sum, Mr. Speaker, as we navigate the complexities of our responsibilities in Congress, it is vital to recognize that the gravity of the issues we face extends past political affiliations. Today, I stand before you not just as the youngest member in this esteemed chamber but as a representative committed to the well-being of our nation. The story of the resilient student from Parkland serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of inaction. Our duty is clear — we must rise above party lines and unite in the face of a pressing issue that affects the lives of countless Americans. The rise in gun massacres demands our immediate attention, and it is abundantly crucial that my Republican colleagues join me across the aisle in this shared responsibility. We as a Congress must demonstrate courage and vote yes for the ban on assault weapons. The call for a bipartisan effort to reinstate a national assault weapons ban is not merely a policy proposal; it is a collective commitment to protecting the very essence of our democracy – the lives of our citizens. To the Republican House Caucus and Mr. Speaker, thank you for the time, and I am hopeful to see you vote yes on H.B. 116.