SWTJC President discusses Uvalde tragedy at Giffords Law Center 30th Anniversary event in San Francisco, highlights community resilience

Uvalde, TX, June 22, 2023 - In a series of one-on-one conversations with supporters of the Giffords Law Center, their board members, and staff, SWTJC President Dr. Hector Gonzales delved into the aftermath of the tragedy that struck Uvalde's Robb Elementary School just over a year ago during the Giffords Law Center 30th anniversary event in San Francisco on Tuesday, June 13. The discussions centered on the community's efforts to move forward amidst the pain and challenges faced in the wake of the devastating event.

The event witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including First Lady Jill Biden and former US Representative Gabby Giffords, who also delivered impactful speeches at the event.

Reflecting on the difficult and emotional anniversary, Dr. Gonzales acknowledged that no community, especially a small one, can ever truly prepare for the magnitude of such a tragedy.

“Ordinarily we all work together to just survive in rural Texas, this tragedy was tough. Our community is still trying to put pieces back together, it is not easy,” said Gonzales.

Every facet of Uvalde was deeply impacted, and the community continues to grapple with the process of rebuilding and healing. While some long for a return to the pre-tragedy normalcy, the majority recognizes that Uvalde will forever be changed. Dr. Gonzales shared his personal experience of the one-year mark, recalling the immense sadness that enveloped him upon learning of the loss of numerous children, empathizing with the unimaginable pain felt by the parents of the 19 innocent lives lost.

During the conversations, Dr. Gonzales also had the opportunity to provide input on and review the Giffords Law Center Uvalde report, which aims to outline the ongoing healing process and prevent similar tragedies in the future. He expressed his appreciation for the report's accuracy in depicting the community of Uvalde.

“The report is like I was observing Uvalde from 10,000 feet above. The Giffords Law Center did a great job in capturing the situation in Uvalde,” Gonzales stated.

Addressing the necessary changes to honor the lives lost on May 24 of the preceding year, Dr. Gonzales emphasized the importance of implementing common-sense gun reform. While there was a modest victory with the passage of the Raise the Age bill out of committee, he expressed disappointment at the lack of urgency exhibited by the legislature in tackling this critical issue.

Gonzales commented, “I had many one-on-one conversations with Republican legislators, and they agree with common sense gun reforms; however, they state that they cannot vote for them because of the fear of the backlash in a Republican primary. We need more legislators with courage to do the right thing.”

When asked about the support and assistance desired from the Giffords organization, Dr. Gonzales advocated for continued efforts in pressing for gun reforms at the national level. He highlighted the insufficiency of fragmented state-by-state initiatives and proposed the establishment of a FEMA-like response team to aid smaller communities when faced with tragedies like the one Uvalde experienced. The provision of immediate assistance to impacted areas and the stabilization of shocked communities are vital in the aftermath of such events.

Dr. Gonzales also stressed the importance of collaborative endeavors to eradicate lingering vestiges of racism within the community. While acknowledging significant progress made in recent years, the retirement of the superintendent revealed that there is still work to be done.

“I believe there were significant gains made over the years; however, the retirement of the superintendent showed us it is not completely gone. I know the families and many within the community were hurt by the support shown for him and the lack of the same support for them,” stated Gonzales.

Reflecting on the past year, Dr. Gonzales drew hope and motivation from the resiliency of the community, the determination within affected families, and the courage displayed by advocates for change who relive the tragic day in their advocacy work. He also found inspiration in the enrollment of students in law enforcement academies and their eagerness to contribute to the healthcare sector.

Dr. Gonzales remarked, "What gives me hope is witnessing the response of our college to the needs of our community, the smile on children's faces, the investment in education, parks and places that allow children to be children and the passion I see from some in our community to make it a better place."

According to its website, the Giffords Law Center has helped pass over 500 pieces of gun reform legislation over the past ten years.