{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://maloney.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/maloney-urges-new-surgeon-general-to-address-gun-violence-and-skin", "Maloney urges new Surgeon General to address gun violence and skin cancer in 2015", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Carolyn Maloney", "M000087", "maloney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NEW YORK --\u00a0Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) today urged Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy to take action on gun violence and other public health issues. In her letter, Maloney called for better efforts to understand gun violence and continued action in addressing skin cancer.\n\"Like many of my colleagues, and most Americans, I strongly support efforts to better understand the causes of gun violence and to develop constructive solutions,\" wrote Maloney. \"I also urge you to continue the work of your predecessors to decrease incidences of skin cancer through campaigns to reduce excessive exposure to harmful outdoor sun and indoor tanning devices. Your interest in preventative medicine will bring great focus to addressing widespread and longstanding public health needs.\"\nMaloney is the author of legislation that would authorize $10 million annually for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the causes and ways to prevent gun violence. Federal spending on research of gun violence is currently banned.\nMaloney is a founder of the bipartisan Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus and an author of the TAN Act, which recently resulted in warning labels being required for all tanning beds, which indicate that the products should not be used by those under the age of 18.\nThe text of Maloney\u2019s letter follows:\nDecember 30, 2014\nVivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A.  \n\tSurgeon General, Vice Admiral  \n\tDepartment of Health and Human Services  \n\t200 Independence Avenue S.W.  \n\tWashington, DC 20201\nDear Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy,\nI offer my strong congratulations on your recent confirmation as the next U.S. Surgeon General.\u00a0The position of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Doctor\u201d has gone without formal leadership for far too long.\nAs we begin a new year resolved to take steps to improve our own wellbeing we must also consider how to best keep our nation as a whole healthy and strong. The recent global Ebola outbreak is a reminder of how essential public health is to our nation\u2019s security. In addition, here in America, gun violence and its aftermath continue to plague our communities. Like many of my colleagues, and most Americans, I strongly support efforts to better understand the causes of gun violence and to develop constructive solutions. I also urge you to continue the work of your predecessors to decrease incidences of skin cancer through campaigns to reduce excessive exposure to harmful outdoor sun and indoor tanning devices. Your interest in preventative medicine will bring great focus to addressing widespread and longstanding public health needs.\nI again offer my commendations for your appointment as our 19th U.S. Surgeon General. Your remarkable qualifications will help to guide our country through these and other health concerns. I look forward to working with you.\nSincerely,\nCAROLYN B. MALONEY\u00a0  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://maloney.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/maloney-urges-new-surgeon-general-to-address-gun-violence-and-skin"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.1758750081062317, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}