[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 29 (Thursday, March 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        GUN VIOLENCE IN LYNBROOK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2002

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my deepest 
sympathy to the families of Reverend Lawrence Penzes and Eileen Tosner, 
both of whom were fatally shot Tuesday morning during 9 a.m. mass at 
Our Lady of Peace Church in Lynbrook, New York.
  Reverend Penzes, 50, was ordained in 1978, and he became pastor at 
Our Lady of Peace in 1994. It is safe to say he was the backbone of the 
church. Parishioners remember him as a wonderful, generous and outgoing 
lay leader who touched countless lives. Other members of the Rockville 
Centre diocese commend his commitment to the Catholic faith and 
community.
  Penzes has been instrumental in helping his church community of 2,400 
families through the 6 months following September 11. He organized 
several sessions on dealing with stress, and continued his regular 
trips to U.S. armed forces stationed around the world. Other notable 
ways he served our country was his time as a chaplain in the local 
police force, and the air force.
  Eileen Tosner, 73, was a devout Irish Catholic whose life revolved 
around her family, friends and community. She was a quiet but active 
woman who was always willing to help with whatever task was at hand. 
She worked at the church and volunteered on Sundays at the local VFW 
Post 2307 during bingo games. Up until two years ago, she helped other 
senior citizens by working as a companion and a helper. Often she could 
be found at the Lynbrook senior citizens center with her friends.
  She was married to her husband Frank for more than 50 years, and 
together they had five children. Tosner's life wasn't easy; she had two 
paralyzed siblings, and two of her sons died of cancer. But all 
throughout her life, despite her difficulties, she remained deeply 
religious.
  My heart is with the parishioners, the clergy and staff of Our Lady 
of Peace who witnessed this brutal violence. We must all say a prayer 
and light a candle for the community near Our Lady of Peace that was 
affected by this tragedy. The neighbors, police, emergency personnel 
and the nearby schools were all senselessly victimized as well.
  I was in the vicinity of the church when the shooting occurred. Many 
of the local roads were blocked; those living nearby were basically 
under house arrest. Police covered the streets as they looked for the 
shooter, who had taken cover in a nearby home. Four hundred 
schoolchildren were being held indoors at the church school.
  This isn't a new occurrence. Random acts of gun violence against 
innocent people happen all the time. A lot of Americans don't think it 
can happen to them, but my neighbors and I know all too well the pain 
that gun violence brings. It has happened everywhere: on trains, in 
schools, homes, the workplace. And now, in a place of worship.
  It is unbelievable, yet it's true.
  I have processed the details of what happened yesterday. I'm not 
standing here on a soapbox. I'm not talking about a certain piece of 
legislation.
  I'm talking about safety. I'm talking about our children's safety, 
our neighbors' safety, the safety of different religious worshipers.
  I think it's obvious. Gun violence wreaks havoc in our lives in 
various ways, not the least of which is the loss of safe places in our 
community. If we can't be safe at church, at school, on commuter 
trains, in our workplaces or at home, where does that leave us?
  I urge you to seriously consider the havoc gun violence creates in 
our society. Better yet, consider its effect on your community. Please 
take a minute to think about it before it's too late.
  May God be with us all.

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