Congressman García's Statement on the Tragic Death of Melissa Ortega

Statement

Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL- 04), a resident of Little Village, issued the following statement about the tragic death of 8-year old Melissa Ortega in a shooting this weekend:

"I am outraged and heartbroken that yet another young child's life was cut short -- a senseless, heartbreaking casualty of the gun violence that plagues our Little Village community. Melissa Ortega could have been any of my grandchildren and instead of living out her dreams, she was struck down by a stray bullet. I feel her parents' pain and anger. How many children must we lose before we change course?

"Our country must address the root causes of violence on our streets. Though justice and fairness will never bring Melissa back to us, we must commit to end the scourge of gun violence and the lack of opportunity that haunts communities like ours across this country. Working class communities need access to jobs for youth, healthcare, affordable housing, education. Our neighborhoods and families cannot wait.

"I join her family and our neighbors in praying for Melissa and for an end to the violence that plagues our city. Today we mourn, tomorrow we turn our grief into collective action."

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