[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 25 (Tuesday, March 2, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOUSE FLOOR SHOOTING

  (Mr. CAMP asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Members 
of Congress injured in the 1954 shooting in the United States House of 
Representatives Chamber.
  On March 1, 1954, four Puerto Rican nationals entered the House 
gallery on the southwest corner of the Chamber. As then-Speaker Joseph 
W. Martin, Jr., concluded tallying the ``aye'' votes on a Mexican 
immigrant labor program, Puerto Rican nationalists stood up and began 
waving a Puerto Rican flag and firing at the floor. The terrorists 
eventually shot approximately 30 rounds before being apprehended.
  As we face a new day of terrorist activity, it is important to 
remember and honor those who suffered as a result of this assault on 
the United States Congress. Representative Alvin M. Bentley, who was 
most severely injured in the attack, represented communities in 
Michigan that I represent now, such as his hometown of Owosso. I would 
like to take this opportunity to honor him, as well as the other 
injured representatives: George H. Fallon of Maryland, Ben F. Jensen of 
Iowa, Kenneth A. Roberts of Alabama, and Clifford Davis of Tennessee.
  These five men were proud to serve their country and nearly paid for 
it with their lives. The simple passing of time should not diminish 
their memory nor the lesson we learn from that attack. Now more than 
ever, we must always remember that the price of freedom is eternal 
vigilance. I am, therefore, honored today to recognize those who have 
suffered and continue to fight terrorism on behalf of the United States 
Congress.

                          ____________________