League of United Latin American Citizens 1133 19th Street, NW, Suite 1000

National Office Washington, DC 20036

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
Cristina Rue | 937-479-9330 | crue@skdknick.com
David Cruz | 818-689-9991| davidcruz@lulac.org

August 31, 2019

LULAC CALLS TEXAS GOVERNOR ABBOTT TO

CALL A SPECIAL EMERGENCY SESSION TO
ADDRESS BANNING ASSAULT RIFLES
Nation’s Oldest & Largest Civil Rights Organization Mourns Victims of Latest Mass
Shooting and Makes Second Demand in One Month for a Special Legislative Session in
Texas on Guns

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today

issued a statement in the wake of a shooting rampage by a white gunman in his mid-30s,
that has thus far claimed five lives and left at least 21 others injured, including three
police officers.

“Tonight, we are asking for justice for the innocent victims of another brutal mass
shooting, this time in Odessa and Midland, Texas just three weeks following the tragedies
in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio,” said Domingo Garcia, National LULAC President, who
was born in Midland. “We cannot fully express our sadness and outrage at yet another
incidence of violence involving the use of firearms. The investigation is already
underway, and we will monitor its findings closely to learn whether this individual had a
motive for this mass murder. Our LULAC members in Odessa will be reaching out to the
families of the victims and survivors to offer any assistance they can in this difficult and
painful time. LULAC once again calls on Governor Abbott to take real action to save
lives in Texas,” he added.

Sindy Benavides, LULAC National Chief Executive Officer, expressed her condolences
for the residents of Odessa and Midland area:
“The unimaginable has happened again during a busy holiday weekend, striking at the heart
of another American community even as the shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio
are still fresh on our minds. Right now, our focus is on the families of all who have been
affected, either by loss of a loved one or who are anxiously awaiting word of a relative who
has been wounded. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We take some consolation in
knowing that their city will come together and embrace them. Our hearts go out to the
courageous people and law enforcement of Odessa and Midland, Texas”.

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About LULAC

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest
and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers
Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in
Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico,
LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy to address the most important issues
for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information,
visit https://lulac.org/

__________________________________________________
Marcela Salazar
Senior Vice President | SKDKnickerbocker Texas
+1 202 567 1163 (C) | msalazar@skdknick.com