OLYMPIA, WA, Dec. 12, 2022 — State Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle) was honored this weekend with The Council of State Government’s 20 Under 40 Leadership Award for her legislative leadership in protecting Washington families from gun violence.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by my colleagues across the country for all that we have accomplished in Washington to enact bold gun safety measures,” said Berry. “As the former Legislative Director to U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, ending gun violence is personal to me. My life in public service began with a passion to create safer communities where our kids aren’t afraid to go to school and our families aren’t afraid to go to the grocery store. Gun violence is preventable, and I won’t stop fighting to keep our communities safe.”
During Berry’s first term in office, she championed legislation to ban untraceable, homemade ‘ghost guns’ and offered key support for the passage of other critical measures including a ban on high-capacity magazines and restricting open carry at places of civic engagement including public demonstrations, local government meetings and election facilities and the state Capitol. Additionally, she helped secured over $8 million in funding to support the work of the Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention.
“Liz’s success comes from her ability to bring people together and her humility to listen and understand how to chart a successful pathway to victory,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in a letter of recommendation for the award. “Her engagement and leadership with advocates and organizations has cemented Washington’s recent achievements and will pave the way for more change in the coming years. Simply put, I am immensely proud of her.” Berry served in the congresswoman’s Washington, DC office from 2007-2010.
The Council of State Government’s is a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to fostering collaboration and community between elected and appointed state officials across the country and the six U.S. territories. This annual award recognizes the work of elected or appointed state officials who exemplify strong leadership skills as well as a deep commitment to serving the people of their state.
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