[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H14454-H14455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRAGEDY IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Lee Terry, from 
the Second Congressional District, my neighbor. I, too, Mr. Speaker, 
want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of 
this senseless act of violence. Sometimes we are shocked by just how 
brutal the world can be and that came home to rest yesterday in 
Nebraska, where people, joyfully going about their holiday season, 
shopping, having time with loved ones, people wrapping gifts, all of a 
sudden being punctuated with this horrific act of violence that left 
eight people dead and in turn the perpetrator of the crime killed 
himself.
  Mr. Speaker, Nebraska prides itself on being a wonderful place to 
live and to work and raise a family, and Omaha is truly a good 
community. I think if we have won consolation here, it will be that the 
community will pull together and will heal together.
  On a personal note, as well, as Congressman Terry mentioned, one of 
the victims of the tragedy was from my district and in fact had been a 
personal acquaintance and friend of mine, Gary Scharf. He was active in 
civic affairs. I knew he took great pride in the son that he had. I too 
wish to extend my deepest heartfelt sympathies to his family as well.

[[Page H14455]]



                          ____________________