Four Parkland School Shooting Families To Attend State Of The Union
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Four families affected by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre will be attending Tuesday's State of the Union address.
U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch will be taking Manny Oliver to the event. He is the father of Joaquin "Guac" Oliver, one of 17 people killed in the Parkland shooting last year.
Deutch's district includes Parkland and the Democratic Congressman has been an outspoken advocate for families of the Parkland shooting victims. Deutch is also part of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, a group in the House seeking to combat gun violence.
"I am enormously grateful that Congressman Deutch has invited me to attend the State of The Union," said Manny Oliver. "I look forward to listening for and hoping that the President will address the 40,000 gun deaths that steal the lives of so many Americans, including children like my son Joaquin. To date, we are disappointed by the President's position on ending gun violence and changing the national control of the irresponsible gun culture."
Andy Pollack, father of slain student Meadow Pollack, will also attend the State of the Union as the guest of Senator Rick Scott. Pollack has worked closely with Scott to improve school safety through the passage of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.
"My daughter gives me the strength to keep fighting every day for what is right – and that's protecting our kids and teachers in school," said Pollack in a statement. "Senator Rick Scott truly puts people above politics, and I'm thrilled to have a partner in Washington that gets what's important. I'm proud to join Senator Scott at the State of the Union, and I look forward to working with him to secure every school in America so no family has to experience the same tragedy as mine."
Fred Guttenberg, father of Jaime Guttenberg who was also killed in the attack, will attend as guest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Survivor Cameron Kasky will be attending as well as the guest of California Congressman Eric Swalwell.
Kasky is a co-founder of the "Never Again MSD" and the movement 'March for Our Lives.'
Swalwell is a Democrat and potential 2020 presidential candidate.