Mother of Slain Chicago Teen Hadiya Pendleton Demands That Congress Take Action To End Gun Violence in New PSA

NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mayors Against Illegal Guns today released a new public service announcement featuring Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, whose 15-year-old daughter Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed in Chicago just days after performing with her high school majorette team at President Obama's inauguration. In the ad, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton calls on Congress to take immediate action and pass sensible gun reforms – including background checks for all gun sales – to help end the national epidemic of gun violence that kills 33 Americans every day. The ad can be viewed here: www.DemandAPlan.org/Hadiya

This past week, Cleopatra and her husband Nathaniel Pendleton joined more than 120 survivors and family members affected by gun violence in Washington as part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns' Demand A Plan campaign. In addition to lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill for common-sense gun reforms, the Pendletons attended the State of the Union as guests of First Lady Michelle Obama.

"There are far too many children in this country being gunned down and there are far too many heartbroken parents like Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton who are left wondering why. It is a stain on our national conscience," said Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "For the sake of our children's safety, Congress must act now to pass common-sense measures – like background checks for every gun sale – that will help save lives."

"How many more parents have to lose a child before our leaders in Congress address the epidemic of gun violence?" said Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "Something as common-sense as background checks will help keep guns out of the wrong hands, which is why more than 90 percent of the country supports them. Congress must stand with the American people and with the parents of gun violence victims – the time for action is now."

Full script of the ad follows.

CLEOPATRA COWLEY-PENDLETON TO CAMERA:

When my daughter Hadiya performed at the President's inauguration, it was the happiest day of her life.

A week later, she was murdered. Gunned down near her school.

A piece of my heart is gone.

Congress is debating how to fix our gun laws.

They can start with background checks for all gun sales.

Tell Congress to support common-sense reforms so no more innocent children are killed.

And no parent has to go through this heartbreak.

[TITLE: DEMAND A PLAN FROM CONGRESS 202-224-3121 www.DEMANDAPLAN.org]

SOURCE Mayors Against Illegal Guns