Never Forget
Friends,
Last week, our nation witnessed an act of pure evil in Uvalde, Texas. Renee and I continue to pray for every family impacted by the tragedy at Robb Elementary School. The violence and loss of innocent, young lives there shake all of us to our core. As the dad of an elementary school child, I can only imagine the nightmare the parents of the victims and survivors are going through.
Evil of this kind, perpetrated against the most innocent in our society, is one of the vilest acts a person can commit. This is why I have led multiple efforts in Congress to stop events like this before they happen and protect our schools. These include the Fix NICS Act which streamlined reporting to the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) and the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 which provided schools with additional resources to train students, teachers, and local law enforcement in school violence prevention and protection. Both acts were signed into law in 2018.
I have also led efforts to address the underlying causes of violence such as mental health. These efforts include supporting reforms like those in the 21st Century Cures Act and sponsoring legislation like the KIDS Care Act, a bill that would improve access to mental health services and resources for schools and kids, especially those transitioning out of rehabilitation institutions.
We must have frank discussions about the role mental health, as well as the cultural breakdown of social and faith-based institutions in our society, have in sparking tragedies like those in Uvalde. We also cannot allow political disagreements to get in the way of achieving real, common-sense solutions that will save lives. That is why you will see me push back against politicians who exploit tragedies like Uvalde to advance their gun control schemes. Yet, I will work just as hard to find common ground so that we can protect our children.
We will never forget the victims in Uvalde. We will also never forget the individuals who ran towards the gunfire that day. Their actions remind us that heroes exist all around us ready to put their lives on the line to protect others.
In our community, we know this is also true for the men and women at Fort Bragg and across our country who wear our nation’s uniform.
On Memorial Day, we honor those service members who gave their lives in the defense of freedom and our nation. This year, my thoughts are especially with the families of the 13 brave U.S. service members killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. These members of the Marines, Navy and Army were among those sent to Afghanistan to rescue our citizens and allies. They endured extremely dangerous circumstances, and they made our country proud.
Included in those killed was Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, a member of the 1st Special Forces Command 8th Psychological Operations Group at Fort Bragg. He left behind a wife in our community and extended family in Tennessee and Florida. His loss is felt by our entire Fort Bragg community and our nation will never forget his sacrifice, as well as that of the other twelve service members lost that day:
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, 31, of Daggett County, Utah
Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts
Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California
Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Riverside County, California
Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, of Red Oak, Iowa
Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20, of Laredo, Texas
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, of Wentzville, Missouri
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California
Navy Hospital Corpsman Max Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio
These heroes put their lives on the line to save our fellow citizens and allies in harm's way. Now as their families mark the first Memorial Day without their loved ones, it is up to all of us to honor their courage and sacrifice.
Join me in praying for the families of all fallen service members this Memorial Day, just as we continue to pray for Uvalde. Together, we will never forget.
Until Next Week,
Richard Hudson
Member of Congress