Dear John,

Today, on the 12th anniversary of the tragedy in Sandy Hook, we mourn the 20 children and 6 adults who lost their lives to senseless gun violence. 

When I came to Congress, I carried their stories, hopes, and dreams in the forefront of my mind. I also made a promise. I made a commitment to do everything in my power as a Member of Congress to put an end to the gun violence epidemic facing our country. 

Six years later, I have not forgotten my promise. 
 
During my time in Congress, I have introduced the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act, which provides school-based trauma support services and mental health care to children who have been exposed to abuse, violence, parental addiction, or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and the School Violence Prevention Act to provide organizations with grants to create or expand school-based programs to support children at the highest risk for involvement in gun violence. 
 
Additionally, I led the resolution for the Expressing Support for Keeping Guns Out of Classrooms, which reaffirms that federal funds should not be used to arm school personnel with firearms. I maintain my commitment to public safety by introducing gun violence prevention legislation and co-leading bills such as the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act and the Preparing Leaders to Assess Needs (PLAN) for School Safety Act. 
 
While progress has been made, the work is not over. 
 
Recently, my office met with Connecticut Against Gun Violence (CAGV) to discuss gun violence prevention within our state. Since the Sandy Hook tragedy, guns have become the leading cause of death for children in the United States. Speaking with concerned constituents and informed stakeholders allows me to develop and work to advance impactful legislation. 
 
Additionally, we attended the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary barn raising event in Newtown. This space will host educational programming and help further the goal of the organization to care for animals, while promoting compassion and acceptance. 
 
As I remember the 26 beautiful lives lost to a preventable act of violence, I ask my colleagues in Congress to remember their commitments to the people they serve. 
 
I ask that we work together, across the aisle, to make our schools and our communities safe and to ensure tragedies like Sandy Hook Elementary School are a thing of the past. 
 
Forever in our hearts. 


Jahana Hayes  
Member of Congress