Students from schools impacted by gun violence this summer will get both an inside look at Washington D.C. politics as well as have the ability to interact and discuss gun safety with federal lawmakers.
That after U.S. Rep. and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside & parts of the Bronx), Vice Chair Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), announced a new initiative to encourage student gun safety advocates to intern on Capitol Hill.
In a letter sent to their colleagues, the lawmakers announced the initiative and encouraged members to host students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and other schools impacted by gun violence as summer interns in Washington, D.C. to continue their advocacy on gun safety measures.
“We have all been impressed with the leadership and passion shown by students around the country on the issue of gun violence prevention. Through efforts like the March for Our Lives, students have been speaking up and demanding action on this issue like never before, and they are an inspiration to many of us,” wrote the lawmakers. “That is why we are encouraging Members to host an intern in their office this summer to work on the issue of gun violence prevention and bring their personal dedication to this issue.”
The lawmakers expressed their excitement for Democrats to work with the students on this important issue and continue pushing for bipartisan, commonsense proposals to prevent gun violence and provide real solutions to keep our schools safe.
Crowley said the idea came after speaking with colleagues that represent some of the school districts most affected with gun violence such as Parkland and Sate Fe, Texas to have some of their students intern for the summer.
“It is good for a couple of reasons,” said Crowley. “It will allow these students to interlink with people on the HIll, and it will give exposure to young people and an understanding of how the system works. It may also give them the opportunity to speak with people who don’t agree with them so it will give them a greater understanding of other viewpoints, which is good for everyone.”
