"The children of this nation are tired of dying." Photo: GA Commissioner and PPF member Ben Fitzgerald-Fye speaks to GA
Watch the Assembly Plenary debate and vote on the "Overture Calling for Action so that Children May Live Free from Gun Violence" HERE. Start at the 1 hour, 25 minute mark of the video.
Find the text of the unanimous Overture HERE See the Rationale section of the Overture for action ideas and resources for your congregation.
You can also watch the GA Committee on Domestic Engagement on June 25 as they considered the Overture and heard from local Presbyterians by Zoom. Watch HERE for June 25 Part I at the 22 minute mark, including PPFer Temple Hiatt (IA) on secure gun storage. Watch HERE for June 25 Part 2 as Overture Advocates from CT, IL, NY, MI and MO speak to the GA Committee, and the Committee takes up the debate. Start at the 2 hour, 51 minute mark. The Overture came to GA with endorsement from 12 presbyteries. Special thanks to Rev. Margery Rossi for coordinating Overture support and to all who testified, wrote, prayed, voted and helped!
Next Step: Bringing the Overture to Life in our Congregations. PPF member Cheryl Hunt (CA) will lead the first workshop on implementing the Overture at the Presbyterian Women National Gathering in St. Louis this month. So far, 200 people have signed up for the workshop! Participants in the Atwood Institute will receive training in how to do BeSMART for Kids Campaigns.
Highlights of the General Assembly Debate: “I was an elementary school teacher for 14 years. One of my colleagues was shot point blank in the chest by a student in the Middle School, five miles from my school…. Not only did we do fire drills, but we did “Code Red” drills, teaching students how to hide under a desk away from the windows…Our children live with fear.” ---Susan Goodman, Commissioner, Nevada Presbytery
This month marks my 45th year as a pediatrician. I have seen the impact of gun violence….Inquisitive…young children cannot be effectively taught that guns are dangerous and consistently follow those teachings. Adolescents cannot have their inherent compulsiveness removed, nor the significant incidence of depression that affects one in three teenagers…. The presence of guns in homes is a major danger to children. Today guns are the number one cause of death of children and adolescents, with most of those being suicides…. We must put our names with those who protect children and support this resolution.” ---Dr. Lemuel Arnold, Commissioner, Cherokee Presbytery
"One month ago I graduated --or should I say I survived-- High School, which some of my classmates were not so lucky to do. I would like to ask the Assembly if you have ever received an "I love you" text from your children? I know that many of my fellow Young Adult Advisory Delegates have sent them, hiding under tables in dark rooms, wielding textbooks and laptops as weapons. I know that most of the Commissioners have never had to watch a ten minute video on what to do in the event of a school shooting during your freshmen year orientation. I assume that you have never attended a vigil for a classmate who was killed by gun violence....I ask you to put yourselves in our shoes..." --Bridgette Bol, Young Adult Advisory Delegate, Lake Michigan Presbytery | 
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