Dear John,

“Relentless. Respectful. Tough.” 

These are the words that U.S. Senator Mark Warner used to describe our own Lori Haas, who is Senior Director of Advocacy and Virginia State Director here at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV). We couldn’t agree more.

This high praise came from a recent profile of Lori and fellow advocate and Virginia Tech parent Andrew Goddard. Click here to read the full article.

Lori has emerged as one of the most influential and persistent lobbyists on gun issues in Virginia. But before this well-deserved media attention and pending legislative victories, there were 13 long years of often thankless work lobbying a legislature that wasn’t interested in taking up gun reform.

What we are now accomplishing in Virginia is a direct result of Lori’s decade-long persistence. From tough conversations with legislators on all ends of the political spectrum, vital testimony using the strongest data on gun violence in hearings and forums, grassroots organizing with other gun violence prevention activists, and listening and grieving with other families of victims of gun violence -- Lori has stood firm in purpose through it all.

This is how real change happens. Through face-to-face conversations, movement building, and sheer tenacity. 

And now, nearly 13 years after Lori’s own daughter was injured in one of the nation’s worst mass shootings, Lori is receiving accolades for helping shepherd through the most substantive new gun laws that Virginia has ever passed. 

From the entire team at CSGV -- thank you, Lori. 

Read the Article: For Virginia Tech parents, new gun laws a long struggle.

Click here to make a donation today in honor of Lori and her hard work!