Mother of Gun Violence Victim to Join Congressman Cicilline in Washington for State of the Union

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) announced today that he will host Cleora Francis-O’Connor for the State of the Union tomorrow night.  Ms. Francis-O’Connor is a Providence resident whose son, Malik, was killed at the age of 17 during a drive-by shooting in Providence in 1997.

“I am honored that Cleora Francis-O’Connor will be joining me tomorrow night for President Obama’s State of the Union address,” said Cicilline.  “Gun violence in cities and towns across our country has devastated many families like Cleora’s, and it is time for us to address this problem with commonsense provisions that will keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the seriously mentally ill.”

Cicilline has helped spearhead an effort, along with Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to encourage his colleagues to invite someone affected by gun violence to the State of the Union.  First Lady Michelle Obama and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have also announced their own plans to invite individuals affected by gun violence to the State of the Union address.

Cicilline is the House sponsor of the Firesale Loophole Closing Act and a co-sponsor of the Fix Gun Checks Act, the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, and the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act.  In addition, he served as a founding member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns during his time as Mayor of Providence.