Ellen Mahoney to Join Rep. Neguse as State of the Union Guest
Ellen’s late husband was a victim of the March 2021 mass shooting at King Soopers in Boulder, Colorado.
Lafayette, CO — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Vice-Chair of the U.S. House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, announced that Ellen Mahoney will be his guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address to Congress on Tuesday, February 7. Ellen’s late husband, Kevin Mahoney, was a victim of the mass shooting at King Soopers in Boulder, Colorado in March of 2021— a tragedy that claimed the lives of ten people in the Congressman’s congressional district. In April 2021, Rep. Neguse led a congressional effort to convince President Biden to direct the Department of Justice to regulate the type of concealable assault-style firearm used in the shooting, an action that President Biden announced shortly thereafter in a Rose Garden Ceremony.
Ms. Mahoney shared the following statement:
“It’s devastating and life altering to lose a loved one to senseless and ruthless gun violence. Yet gun violence keeps happening over and over again in this country. Although this topic is a complicated and entrenched issue for Americans, I'm counting on our leaders, such as Congressman Joe Neguse, to pass legislation that will prevent the loss of more innocent lives to gun violence. We can and must do better. I believe that most humans are loving and creative individuals at their core. Instead of picking up a gun—how about reaching for a guitar, a paintbrush, or a pen? The pain of broken hearts and broken families from gun violence needs to end. Vote for change.
“I’ve watched the State of the Union address many times at home and it will truly be an honor to be in the Capitol this year to listen to President Biden’s words. I know the President will have our best interest at heart as he discusses the important strides we’ve made and will make for a better and more peaceful world.”
The State of the Union Address will highlight the achievements that House Democrats and President Biden have delivered over the past two years and the work that Democrats are doing to defend American values. Among these accomplishments is the enactment of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence prevention bill in over 30 years. Congressman Neguse has been a staunch advocate of common-sense reforms to address the gun violence epidemic in America. In response to the 2021 mass shooting at the Boulder Table Mesa King Soopers grocery store, he unveiled a legislative package to prevent mass shootings, expand worker safety, and increase mental health and trauma support for communities recovering from tragedy.
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