[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 102 (Friday, July 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2003

  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, July 8, 2003, a horrible 
tragedy occurred in my congressional district which caused me to miss 
the evening's votes, most noteworthy the Department of Defense 
Appropriation Act for 2004.
  A gunman entered the Lockheed Martin plant in Meridian, MS, and 
conducted a thoughtless and sickening shooting spree, wounding nine 
people and killing five. I felt it important that I be with the victims 
of this senseless tragedy to offer support and comfort.
  The families and friends of these victims are undergoing tremendous 
heartache and confusion as a result of this terrible act of violence. I 
would request the thoughts and prayers from the members of this body as 
we struggle to cope with this tragic incident.
  While I regret missing these votes, my duties required that I be with 
my constituents. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on 
rollcall votes 334, 335, and 336.

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