WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-8) has invited Denise Reed, the mother of Starkesia Reed and an advocate against gun violence, to the State of the Union on Tuesday night. Starkesia Reed was a fourteen year old honor roll student who was killed by a stray bullet from an AK-47 near her home in Chicago. Denise Reed is a founding member of Purpose Over Pain, an organization committed to the relentless pursuit of solutions to gun violence. State Senator Dan Katowski recommended that Duckworth invite Reed as a way to further the debate on gun violence.
“I am inspired by Denise Reed’s courage in sharing her story and proud to have her with me on Tuesday to stand against the tragic shootings that have taken place in Newtown, Chicago and throughout our country,” said Duckworth. “We cannot wait on the sidelines while children like Starkesia are needlessly taken away from their families. My colleagues and I must show the same determination and bravery as Mrs. Reed in demanding common sense reforms that will help protect our children.”
Does anybody see a trend here? Any guess on what the president is going to talk about? There is no doubt that this is a concerted decision...my guess is that there will probably be others, too. What is sad is that Obama, who has a home in Chicago, has arrived so late in offering his thoughts on the gun problems in the city. However, you just watch; he won't talk about Chicago's tight gun controls. He will somehow skip over that tidbit.