[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRAGEDY IN CENTRE COUNTY

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to pay my respects 
to several young people who recently lost their lives in a cabin fire.
  Two weeks ago, 11 friends from Northumberland and Lancaster Counties 
planned a weekend retreat at the Wehry family cabin. The site of many 
memorable family gatherings, the newly remodeled cabin seemed to be the 
perfect setting to eat, play cards, and enjoy rural Centre County's 
outdoor recreation. On Sunday morning, March 22, the friends' fun-
filled weekend came to a devastating end. The ``mansion in the 
mountains'' caught fire at 5:20 a.m. All of the 11 friends died in 
their sleep from smoke inhalation.
  Each of these young people was special in his or her own right. A 
quiet girl, Toni Wehry wanted to be a teacher. Amanda Wehry was bright, 
outgoing, and popular. Tyrone Wehry, who was working for the House 
Republican caucus in Harrisburg, planned to pursue a career in 
politics. Warwick High School's former basketball star, Erik Gray was 
learning to be an electrician. Nicholas Berkey was lovingly described 
as a dependable young man who was saving money to buy a house. The 
versatile James Giliberti enjoyed martial arts, music, and finance; he 
had planned to invest in an IRA this year. Kip Snyder is remembered as 
a prankster who pitched for the Line Mountain High School baseball 
team. Chad Hain, who enjoyed hands-on technical work, had a promising 
career in carpentry. Quiet and sensitive, Jason Herrold was studying 
business administration at Susquehanna University. The Wiest brothers, 
Toby and David, owned a paint ball supply store. By all accounts, the 
vivacious Toby and the pensive David were best friends.
  Friends and neighbors have rallied to console the victims' families. 
Well wishers tied blue and gold ribbons--Line Mountain High School's 
colors--to telephone poles, lampposts, and front doors. These poignant 
memorials hang beside Easter decorations. Students at Line Mountain 
High signed banners in the auditorium to bid their friends farewell. 
Signs expressing words of comfort and encouragement hang in the windows 
of local businesses. One reads, ``Now they're in God's cabin.''
  Mr. President, words cannot describe a parent's grief upon the death 
of a child. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending the Senate's 
condolences to the victims' families. Our prayers and heartfelt 
sympathies go out to them.

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