Skip to main content

Congressman Dan Kildee to Welcome Flint Pastor Jeffery Hawkins as Fifth District Guest to President Trump’s State of the Union Address

January 26, 2018

Pastor Hawkins Lost Two Sons to Shootings, Has Since Worked to Decrease Gun Violence in the Community

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) has invited Flint Pastor Jeffery Hawkins to be his guest at next week's State of the Union address by President Donald Trump.

Pastor Hawkins, a community leader and pastor at the Prince of Peace Baptist Church in Flint, lost both of his sons to gun violence. Since then, he has worked to prevent senseless gun deaths in Flint through community organizations such as the Cease Fire Initiative and C.AU.T.I.O.N. He has previously organized community meetings to bring stakeholders together to discuss gun violence and has been a strong advocate for more opportunities for youth.

Image
Pastor Hawkins Press Release Image

High-resolution courtesy photos of Congressman Kildee and Pastor Hawkins can be viewed here and here.

"Violence has a terrible impact on youth in the community. We must do more to prevent senseless gun deaths in communities like Flint," Pastor Hawkins said. "I am honored to attend the State of the Union address with Congressman Kildee, and my family appreciates his work in Congress to prevent gun violence and provide more opportunity for young people in our community."

"Pastor Hawkins is an important leader and role model in our community. He has turned his family's grief over the loss of their two sons into action because he does not want another family to experience similar tragedy," said Congressman Kildee. "I am honored to have Pastor Hawkins as my guest this year to help highlight the need for more action by Congress to prevent gun violence."

In recent months, Congressman Kildee has worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass common sense gun safety measures to prevent violence, including on efforts to close the "bump stock" loophole and reduce the number of illegal guns on the streets. Congressman Kildee has previously introduced legislation aimed at reducing violent crime and increasing opportunity for Michigan youth through summer employment that is linked to their school work or career focus.

Issues:Local Issues