Today, Tuesday, May 24th, 2022, as we went about our day, we were interrupted by a most heinous crime that has been committed all too often in recent years—another mass shooting. This time, as was the case at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, it was children who were most of the victims. This tragedy is not unique to Texas, or the United States, yet it has occurred all too often in more recent years, and particularly at schools. Whatever needs to be done to ensure the safety and security of all children everywhere should be done swiftly— without partisan delay. This is no time for politics or political antics of blaming anyone other than the killer himself and the system in which this killer was allowed to enter an elementary school with deadly weapons—without the ability to protect these children.
This was a senseless act of selfish and cowardice behavior. As a result, there will be 22 people, 19 of whom were children, who will never make it home, will never know what tomorrow will bring, and who will forever be missed and loved. Tonight, as you lay down safely in the comfort of your homes, please hug, hold, and love your children, family members, and other loved ones tighter, longer, and more than ever before. If today taught us anything, it is that tomorrow is not promised to any of us. And that, in the wake of what has become our new reality, we, as a society, must do all we can—in more than just the words written on this paper—to prevent tragedies like this, from ever happening again. Rest In Peace to all the lives which were lost in Uvalde, Texas; and peace and comfort to the families of those who were lost.
Additionally, we want to take time to thank law enforcement officials and first responders, particularly Customs and Border Patrol agents, who were said to have brought down the killer, for their work and dedication to responding to incidents such as this, which, despite the immense loss of life and significant impact, could have been much worse.
The Texas AFL-CIO state federation has provided a list of resources to support the Uvalde community. Please CLICK HERE and please share as appropriate.
Hydrick Thomas, President | Mac Johnson, Council Executive Vice President | Johnny Jones, Council Secretary-Treasurer | Shabay Izquierdo, Region 1 V.P. | John Hubert, Region 2 V.P. | Janis Casey, Region 3 V.P. | Becky Mancha, Region 4 V.P. | Greg Biel, Region 5 V.P. | Bobby Orozco Jr., Region 6 V.P. | Joe Shuker, Region 7 V.P. | Victor Payes Martinez, Fair Practices Coordinator | Concetta Fialkowski, Women’s Coordinator | Christopher Blessing, AFGE Council 100 Attorney