r• . : :- FOR THE VALLEY August14 , 2019 Dear March for our Lives Fresno Members: While I always understood the Safari Club to be an organization promoting safe and responsible hunting and wildlife conservation , I recognize their contribution has made some uncomfortable. As a clear reflection of my longstanding commitment to fighting and ending gun violence, I am contributing the full amount of $6,000 they have contributed to me since my tenure in Congress to the Gabby Giffords Courage to Fight Gun Violence PAC . Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, and we served together until she was tragically shot in 2011 while performing her congressional duties in Tucson , AZ.. Gabby's tireless efforts toward our shared values of ending gun violence and improving the safety of our families, children and neighborhoods is truly inspirational. I am honored to call Gabby and her husband Mark my friends . As the Co-Founder and Chair of the Congressional Victims Rights Caucus, one of my most somber duties is to reach out to colleagues every time a mass violence crime occurs in their districts to connect them with resources in the wake of these preventable tragedies. Unfortunately, it is a responsibility I have had to fulfill all too often . Through the Caucus we have passed federal laws that protect victims' rights and hold perpetrators accountable: I am extremely proud of our work to provide a unified voice for crime victims and survivors. When I served in the California State Legislature, in the 1990s we passed one of the strictest bans on assault weapons in the country, as well as required background checks. My record has remained consistent in Washington , D.C., where I have supported gun control legislation and been an outspoken advocate against gun violence. This year I supported H.R. 8 requiring national background checks. Last week I was one of 213 House members who demanded that Senator Mitch McConnell bring up H.R. 8, as well as, H.R. 1112, that requires enhanced background checks as a result of the church shooting in South Carolina . There is much more work to be done to stop gun violence and improve public safety. I applaud each of you involved in the March for Our Lives movement for your interest and engagement on this issue. We can be stronger partners by working together to end gun violence. Thank you for reaching out and making me aware of your concerns. I look forward to hopefully meeting with you and discussing my efforts on this issue , and more importantly, what we can do together moving forward . Sin ely you , • Congressman Jim Costa 16"' Congressional District