Hi, my name is Paul Helmke. I'm very excited to be the new President of the Brady Campaign and Center to Prevent Gun Violence and its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters.

I just moved to Washington, D.C. from Indiana, where my two daughters were raised, my wife has taught kindergarten in the public schools, and my family has a long history of public service.

My perspective on gun issues is based on my experiences as Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana for twelve years. Shooting victims and their families were my constituents. My police officers investigated the tragedies caused by guns. My local hospitals did all that was within their power to save gun shot victims. My local clergy helped the families pick up the pieces. My neighborhoods were impacted by the violence.

I know that the citizens of my community wanted to see the violence stop. I know that you want that too for your communities. And it will take all of us -- working together -- to make this happen.

I am not saying that Washington can't do a lot. Federal policies have a tremendous impact on preventing gun violence. But Washington needs to learn from the growing coalition of mayors, both Republicans and Democrats -- led by Mayors Bloomberg of New York and Menino of Boston and as well as our activists around the country -- that we need to get illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and crack down on rogue gun dealers.

Momentum is building, but Congress isn't listening. They are not responding to victims, law enforcement, those in public health, and to you and me. Instead, too many have continued to champion the interests of the gun pushers.

This is our challenge. We need to make our elected representatives listen to us and take common sense steps to reduce gun deaths.

Let's dry up that illegal gun market! Let's extend Brady Background checks to all gun sales, stop large volume gun sales and strengthen law enforcement tools to deal with irresponsible gun dealers.

Keep writing your elected officials, making those calls, sending emails and voting! I know that together -- activists, supporters, mayors, allies, faith leaders, public health workers, and many more -- we will make our voices heard so that America becomes a safer place in which our families and communities can thrive.

Thank you for your support and commitment.