White House – September 15, 2022

During the United We Stand Summit at the White House on September 15, Jeff Binkley, the father of Maura Binkley, was honored by President Joe Biden as a “Uniter.” The Summit worked to counter the destructive effects of hate-fueled violence on our democracy and public safety, mobilize diverse sectors of society and communities across the country to these dangers, and put forward a shared, inclusive, bipartisan vision for a more united America.

Statement from Jeff Binkley, Founder of Maura’s Voice:

“On November 2, 2018, a man walked into a yoga studio in Tallahassee, Florida and opened fire. He injured five and killed two women including my daughter, Maura Binkley. Maura aspired to be a diplomat, putting her passion for listening to all sides, learning from all perspectives, and advocating on behalf of the greater good.

This week I joined families just like mine and key decision makers that have the power to address the intersection of hate and violence at the United We Stand Summit hosted by President Joe Biden. While I was honored to be recognized as a ‘Uniter’ by President Biden, it underscored the critical need for communities to demand change.

Maura remains a change agent. We applaud the Biden Administration’s efforts and look forward to working with bipartisan federal and state policymakers to increase awareness and enact change through academic and legal research to support the development and implementation of evidence-based strategies through Maura’s Voice. Strategies that work to create a world where violence and hatred do not meet.”

Read more on United We Stand here and here. Read President Biden’s remarks at the United We Stand Summit here.