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Incoming Congressman Filemon Vela was in Beeville Monday meeting residents of Bee County. He said that the shooting in Newtown, Conn., was on everyone’s mind at the time. He said he wanted to examine the circumstances before acting with legislation.
Congressman Rubén Hinojosa said, “I want to express my profound sadness over the terrible fatal shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.
“I ask that you keep the families and loved ones of those who were killed in your prayers.
“As a father, my heart breaks for the families of the victims.
“As a person who supports and encourages students to go to school, I am deeply saddened that another vicious attack has taken place in classrooms full of children and teachers.
“My thoughts and prayers are with them and the entire community who have been so terribly affected by this horrific tragedy.”
The county’s next congressman said that he isn’t in favor of any knee-jerk reactions to the tragedy that occurred in Newtown, Conn.
Congressman-elect Filemon Vela, who was in Beeville on Monday evening to meet the residents of the county, said that this is one of the topics he is hearing about as he travels throughout his new district.
Vela is the new representative of the newly formed District 34, which includes Bee County.
Previously, the county fell under the representation of Congressman Hinojosa.
However, during this year’s redistricting efforts, Hinojosa’s district was shifted taking him away from the county.
Vela takes office on Jan. 3 when he will be sworn in and will have the chance to voice his opinion about what should be done in light of the Newtown killings.
“Pretty much everywhere we go people are concerned with what happened to the families,” he said Monday. “You can’t react overnight to a situation like that.
“Right now, there is a lot of calls for enhanced gun control.
“There are some that have suggested putting forth an assault weapons ban.
“But there is another component of this.
“We had an assailant with some mental health issues.
“I think we have to start taking a look at how we are going to deal with these mental health issues and to see what we can do to identify these people that are doing these vicious things ahead of time so we can prevent these things from happening.”
During a memorial service on Sunday, President Barack Obama also spoke about the need for improving mental health care in the country.
Others, however, are calling for a change in the gun control laws.
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein told reporters Sunday that bills would be introduced on the first day that Congress reconvenes next year.
Jason Collins is the editor at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 121, or at editor@mySouTex.com.
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