New task force on gun violence
NEW TASK FORCE ON GUN VIOLENCE
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dick Nielsen. My wife, Gloria, and I joined Chicago Temple about four years ago after moving to the city to babysit our granddaughter (now 2 granddaughters). Over the past 25 or 30 years I have been doing what I could to influence change that would reduce the tragedy of firearm violence in our country. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that my efforts have not borne much fruit to date, but I am not about to give up, and today I sense some momentum across the country to finally do something, I have shared my passion on the subject with our pastors, and they have suggested that I organize an effort in our congregation around this passion. This effort would be one of the initiatives of our Justice Ministry and would focus on what can be done now and into the future. I am looking for others who might share this passion to form a task force that would seek ways to bring about change that reduces the incidence of gun violence in our city and our country. The way I see it, we would begin by sharing information and resources so that we work from a common knowledge base. Then we would build on that base to take actions to move the ball in the right direction. I know we are all busy, so I do not expect to put great time demands on anyone. But I would like some help. If you are interested in joining the cause, please contact me at nielsen4149@gmail.com or 815-335-2784 by July 15. And, whether or not you wish to join this task force, I hope you will contact your Congressional representatives and ask them to take action on gun control when they return to work next week.
POST SRIPT: Shortly after I wrote this and made a phone call on the subject, my 6 ½ year old granddaughter Alexandra handed me a sealed envelope. She told me she had heard my phone call and wanted me to open the envelope. Inside was a handwritten note from her that read as follows: “I want to help you with gun vilinse(sic) please go to church more on something I want to help.” Then, a few minutes later, as I was getting ready to leave for a meeting with Pastor Witt, she handed me another envelope. In it was the following note: “I realy(sic) want to help. Please I do. I will do anything to stop it. I want to do anything.” So, it looks as if I have my first recruit. Won’t you join us?