The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING STEVE KERR
______
HON. MIKE THOMPSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 7, 2022
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Steve Kerr in recognition of his contributions to gun violence prevention.
Mr. Kerr was born in Lebanon in 1965. His father Malcolm served as President of the American University of Beirut but was shot and killed by a militia known as Islamic Jihad in 1984. At only 18 years old, this event had a profound effect on Mr. Kerr and inspired his activism.
For over 30 years, Mr. Kerr has led an historic career in professional basketball, both as a player and a coach. In 1986, while attending the University of Arizona, Mr. Kerr competed in the FIBA World Championship and was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1988. Over the next 15 years, he played on seven teams and won five NBA titles. Mr. Kerr retired as a player in 2003 but returned to the NBA in 2014 as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. Since then, he has led the team to six NBA Finals and four championships--the most successful run in franchise history.
As someone well aware of the impact gun violence can have on families, Mr. Kerr has been especially involved in gun violence prevention. In the wake of mass shootings, including those in Parkland, Boulder, and Atlanta, Mr. Kerr used his platform as a leading figure in American sports to call for congressional action. During an NBA press conference in May 2022, Mr. Kerr once again spoke out to address the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. He referred to gun violence as ``a public health issue'' in desperate need of both recognition and treatment. He has supported charities and organizations focused on passing legislation to reduce gun violence such as the Giffords Law Center, Brady, and Sandy Hook Promise. Mr. Kerr has been an important part of Rock the Ride, a benefit bike ride and walk to help end gun violence. He has also dedicated much of his time to the East Bay chapter of Live Free, a national racial justice network that has worked to reduce gun violence in Oakland.
Mr. Kerr is a proud father of three children, Nick, Maddy and Matthew, and a devoted husband to his wife, Margot.
Madam Speaker, we thank Mr. Kerr for his unwavering dedication to the fight against gun violence. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 161(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 161(2)
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