CHICAGO — Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) asked the parents of slain teen Hadiya Pendleton Wednesday if he could name a gun control bill after their daughter, according to a statement.
Kirk's legislation will fight illegal gun trafficking.
He asked permission of Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton and Nathaniel Pendleton to name his bill after Hadiya, who he said died from "gang gunfire" and "senseless gun violence."
"I reiterated that one of my top priorities this year is to pass legislation that will dry up the supply of illegal weapons to dangerous drug gangs who are committing these senseless acts of violence," he said.
Hadiya, a King College Prep student, was fatally shot in a park just blocks from the school and President Barack Obama's Kenwood home Jan. 29.
The teen's death quickly entered into national debates about gun control, and her parents were invited to attend the State of Union address Tuesday.
Obama said Hadiya's parents "deserve a vote" in the national debate on gun control during the address, and he will speak at Hyde Park Academy Friday on his post-address speaking tour.
First lady Michelle Obama also attended Hadiya's funeral Saturday.
Michael Ward, 18, and Kenneth Williams, 20, have been charged in the killing of Hadiya. They were ordered held without bond Tuesday.
