We are angry and heartbroken about the tragedy in Uvalde, in our home state of Texas. The 21 children and teachers who were massacred at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday lost their lives while engaged in the most American of all dreams – bettering themselves and their community through learning. Instead, they became victims of a nightmare: our Nation’s inability to solve a problem that is unique to us. Their loss demonstrates that we have failed, as a society, to protect the innocent. We must do better.

Each of their names should be engraved on our hearts as a reminder that our Nation remains imperfect, and we all have work to do.

Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo
Jacklyn Jaylen Cazares
Makenna Lee Elrod
Jose Flores Jr.
Eliana “Ellie” Garcia
Irma Garcia
Uziyah Garcia
Amerie Jo Garza
Xavier Lopez
Jayce Luevanos
Tess Marie Mata
Miranda Mathis
Eva Mireles
Alithia Ramirez
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez
Maite Rodriguez
Alexandria Aniyah Rubio
Layla Salazar
Jailah Nicole Silguero
Eliahana 'Elijah' Cruz Torres
Rojelio Torres

Solutions to complex problems aren’t easy to find. But at the Bush Center, we believe in the character of our Nation and have every faith that we can and will rise to the challenge. That we should unite, not just in mourning, but in charting a path forward that will keep all our children safe.

We also believe in the strength and character of the rising generation of leaders – people like those in our Presidential Leadership Scholars and Stand-To Veteran Leadership programs, who will lead our public and private sectors in the years to come. We believe in them because we see their impressive work in trying to climb what feels like the tallest mountains: curbing gun violence, addressing mental health, solving health care inequity, building opportunity in every community, and all the challenges in between.

These are leaders who hold deep convictions but temper them with the ability to come together with others across the political spectrum to advance solutions. These crucial skills, though simple to state, are hard to practice. But they are the only path to meaningful change.

The losses in Uvalde have left a giant hole in the lives of their families, their community, and our Nation.

We hope you’ll consider supporting the victims' families and survivors in Uvalde. The Texas Tribune has compiled this list of ways you can help.

Sincerely,