[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1255-H1257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1330
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE DEVASTATING SHOOTING
INCIDENT AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1007) expressing the condolences of
the House to those affected by the devastating shooting incident of
February 14, 2008, at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1007
Whereas on Thursday, February 14, 2008, a gunman entered a
lecture hall on the campus of Northern Illinois University
and opened fire on the students assembled there;
Whereas the gunman took the lives of 5 students and wounded
17 more;
Whereas the 5 students who lost their lives that day were--
(1) Gayle Dubowski, age 20, of Carol Stream, Illinois, a
devout member of her church who sang in the church choir and
worked as a camp counselor and volunteer in rural Kentucky;
(2) Catalina ``Cati'' Garcia, age 20, of Cicero, Illinois,
a first-generation American who had hoped to be a teacher,
was her family's ``princess'' and inspiration, and was rarely
seen without a beaming smile;
(3) Julianna Gehant, age 32, of Mendota, Illinois, who
dreamed of becoming a teacher, and who spent more than 12
years in the United States Army and Army Reserve, serving our
Nation and saving money for college;
(4) Ryanne Mace, age 19, of Carpentersville, Illinois, a
much-loved only child who was rarely without a warm smile and
hoped to be a counselor so she could help others; and
(5) Daniel Parmenter, age 20, of Westchester, Illinois,
``Danny'' to his friends, a 6-foot, 5-inch rugby player with
a gentle spirit and bright future, who died trying to protect
his girlfriend from gunfire;
Whereas the Northern Illinois University Police Department,
the Police Departments of DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora, Batavia,
Cortland, Galesburg, Genoa, Geneva, Mendota, St. Charles,
Rockford, and the Village of Winnebago, the Conservation
Police, the Sheriff's Offices of DeKalb County, Winnebago
County, and Kane County, the Kane County Bomb Squad, the
Illinois State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,
Reach/Air Angel, Flight for Life, Life Line, the Salvation
Army, and the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
of DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland, Malta, Maple Park, Rochelle,
Hampshire, Burlington, Shabbona, Hinckley, Genoa-Kingston,
Waterman, Elburn, St. Charles, Ogle-Lee, Kaneville, Sugar
Grove, North Aurora, and Somonauk responded to the emergency
promptly and assisted capably in the initial crisis and the
subsequent investigations;
Whereas the emergency responders and the doctors, nurses,
and other health care providers at Kishwaukee Community
Hospital, Saint Anthony Medical Center, Good Samaritan
Hospital, Rockford Memorial Hospital, and Northwestern
Memorial Hospital provided professional and dedicated care to
the victims;
Whereas hundreds of volunteer counselors from Illinois and
across the Nation have come to Northern Illinois University
to assist the campus community;
Whereas the students, faculty, staff, and administration of
Northern Illinois University, the people of the city of
DeKalb and the State of Illinois, and all Americans have
mourned the victims of this tragedy and have offered support
to the victims' friends and families and to the greater
Northern Illinois University community;
Whereas Northern Illinois University has established a
scholarship fund to honor the memory of the students slain in
the February 14 tragedy; and
Whereas the Northern Illinois University community is
determined to move ``forward, together forward'', in the
words of the Huskie fight song, and to persevere through this
tragedy with heavy hearts but unbroken spirits: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its sincere condolences to the families,
friends, and loved ones of those who were killed in the
tragic shooting on February 14, 2008, at Northern Illinois
University in DeKalb, Illinois: Gayle Dubowski, Catalina
Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne Mace, and Daniel Parmenter;
(2) extends its support and prayers to those who were
wounded and wishes them a speedy recovery;
(3) commends the emergency responders, law enforcement
officers, health care providers, and counselors who performed
their duties with professionalism and dedication in response
to the tragedy;
(4) reaffirms its commitment to helping ensure that
schools, colleges, and universities in the United States are
safe and secure environments for learning; and
(5) expresses its solidarity with Northern Illinois
University and its students, faculty, staff, and
administration as they mourn their losses and as they recover
from this tragic incident.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days
during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 1007 into
the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
might consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my deepest sympathies to the
victims and families who suffered the horrific shooting tragedy at
Northern Illinois University. My thoughts and prayers go out to all
those who have suffered through this great loss, especially the
families, students, faculty and staff of the university.
Northern Illinois University is one of the largest schools in
Illinois, providing higher education to more than 25,000 students. The
effects of this tragedy can be felt all across the State, and have
echoed throughout the Nation.
Parents send their children to school each day to learn about the
world around them and to grow and develop into responsible adults.
Parents that send their children off to college expect that they will
be safe and will graduate with newfound knowledge and a bright future.
As we mourn with the Northern Illinois University community, this
Congress must continue in its work to make all schools safe in order to
prevent this kind of tragedy in the future. We must continue to work
with our colleges and universities to develop ways to anticipate,
identify and prevent these horrific and disturbing acts of violence.
Mr. Speaker, we stand to show our support to the family, students,
faculty and staff of Northern Illinois University who continue on
despite the tragic events surrounding them. I know that the healing
process will take time, but I also hope that some day soon, all members
of the Northern Illinois University community will feel the safety and
security that all students should have.
Mr. Speaker, especially do I want to extend appreciation to the
president of Northern Illinois University, to the faculty and staff,
and especially one program, something called the Chance Program, which
opens its doors to students from all over the State, provides the
sanctuary of the opportunity to get the best possible education, and we
hope that they can put this tragedy behind them as we continue to move
forward.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1007 to pay
final respects and express the condolences of the House of
Representatives for those affected by the devastating shooting incident
on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois on
February 14, 2008.
On that dark Valentine's Day, five students lost their lives, and 17
others were injured. Those five who were taken from their families are:
20-year-old Gayle Dubowski of Carol Stream, 20-year-old Catalina Garcia
of Cicero, 32-year-old Julianna Gehant of Mendota, 19-year-old Ryanne
Mace of Carpentersville, and 20-year-old Daniel Parmenter of
Westchester.
The wounds suffered that day have been deeply felt by those families
that lost loved ones, but the entire Nation shares in their pain.
Messages of support continue to flow in from across the country and
around the world.
I would like to take special note of the extraordinary outpouring of
kindness and sympathy from the students
[[Page H1256]]
and faculty of Virginia Tech. Having endured a similar tragedy just
last spring, their words of wisdom and perseverance have given strength
to many in the NIU community.
Our Nation's universities and colleges are places where students
begin to embrace adulthood, where they begin to relish a newfound
freedom, and where they begin to realize their dreams. For many they
are places that offer new beginnings and pathways to brighter futures.
To have that cut short for these five young men and women by such a
senseless act is almost beyond comprehension. So today we come together
to comfort one another and pray that the Northern Illinois University
community and our Nation can begin to heal in the aftermath of this
unspeakable tragedy.
We also come together to support the efforts of America's higher
education leaders and administrators to ensure tight security and safe
conditions for all students. The recent violence on college campuses
has American families concerned. As a Nation we must work to create
safe yet accessible facilities and ensure that parents don't have to
fear for their children's lives when they send them off to school. If
ever there were a place where America's youth should feel safe, it is
in institutions of learning.
Mr. Speaker, I also believe that we owe sincere and heartfelt
gratitude to NIU's administration, the law enforcement officers,
faculty and students for the way they have handled the crisis. The
strong, coordinated response by campus security reflects long hours of
training and undoubtedly saved the lives of potential victims. And the
entire DeKalb community, both on and off campus, has shown unity and
courage in the face of extraordinary adversity.
Simply put, no one can ever be truly prepared to handle a tragedy
like this, but the response of the Northern Illinois University family
has been a credit to them and to the State of Illinois.
So in the spirit of the NIU Husky fight song, let us now move
``forward, together forward,'' and may we all learn from the example of
NIU as we tackle future challenges that face our Nation.
I ask my colleagues to keep the students and families of NIU in their
thoughts and prayers, and I ask for their support of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo).
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my deepest sympathies to
the victims and their families who suffered the horrific shooting
tragedy at Northern Illinois University.
I would like to offer my deep thanks and gratitude to Chairman George
Miller and Ranking Member Buck McKeon of the Education and Labor
Committee for allowing this resolution to come to the floor for
expedited consideration.
Northern Illinois University is one of the largest schools in
Illinois. It's over 25,000 students, and it's centered in the corn
fields in the beautiful city of DeKalb, Illinois. And it reaches
throughout the entire State and indeed around the country and in many
cases around the world with the diversity of the foreign students. My
colleagues and I represent thousands of Northern Illinois University
faculty, staff and graduates. The tragedy has shaken all of us.
Schools are supposed to be a sanctuary of safety, which is why the
news that came out of NIU on the afternoon of February 14 was
particularly tragic. A lone gunman, a former NIU student, opened fire
on an oceanography class, killing five students and wounding 17 more in
a matter of seconds. The NIU police were in the auditorium within 30
seconds of the shots being fired. Shortly afterwards he killed himself,
but all of the shooting took place prior to the police arriving, even
in that short period of time. Many of us remember the shock we felt
almost a year ago when 33 members of the Virginia Tech community were
lost in a similar senseless act of violence.
As a father of three children in college, I cannot even imagine the
sorrow and hurt the families are experiencing. I shared that a bit this
past week when I, along with Senators Durbin and Obama and
Representatives Emanuel, Roskam and Bean stood with a crowd of more
than 10,000 mourners on the NIU campus to memorialize this tragedy.
But still the sorrow and the shock remain. We cannot bring back these
young men and women to the classroom, to the sidewalks of DeKalb, or to
the arms of their families. We cannot explain why, but we continue to
search for answers. But as we did last week at NIU, we can pause to
remember the spirit, energy and life of each of the five students lost
in this tragedy.
Gayle Dubowski, was a 25-year-old anthropology major from Carol
Stream. She loved the arts, and was committed to her Christian faith.
Her friends remembered her as a sweet and genuine person, someone who
shined brightly for her Lord on the campus of NIU.
Catalina Garcia, 20 years old of Cicero, Illinois, a first-generation
American who hoped to be a teacher. An honor student, an athlete and a
dancer in high school, her teachers remember her as a quiet girl but
with big ideas. Jamie Garcia, her older brother, says he'll always
remember her as the family princess.
Julianna Gehant, age 32 of Mendota, Illinois, had served our Nation
for 12 years in the Army and Army Reserves. She enrolled at NIU to
major in elementary education, a childhood friend remembered, because
she loved the innocence and creativity of children.
Ryanne Mace, age 19 of Carpentersville, was an only child whose
friends remember her rarely being without a smile. She majored in
psychology to pursue her dream of helping others. Her roommate
remembers her as a vibrant person, full of life, never wanting to miss
a beat.
Daniel Parmenter, age 20 of Westchester, Illinois, is remembered as a
6-foot-5 rugby player with a gentle spirit and a bright future. His
family has memories of his touching gestures, phone calls and small
acts of love and courage. His last act of love was to throw himself in
front of his girlfriend and he took the fire and was killed. And she
was injured.
It is an honor to have these students remembered in this body and to
remember the courage of those who responded that day. The purpose of
this resolution is to express the condolences of the House to those
affected by this devastating tragedy.
The Bible tells us to mourn with those who mourn, to pray for one
another that we may be healed. We pray the healing continue for the
families and the victims of Northern Illinois University.
Mrs. BIGGERT. We have no further speakers, so with that, Mr. Speaker,
let me just close by saying, let us keep all of these young people who
we mourn in our thoughts and prayers; and let us move forward to find
ways to keep our children safe in school and everywhere, that they may
fulfill their dreams and continue on with their lives.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would close by just simply
commending the State of Illinois, led by its Governor, its United
States Senators, both Senators Durbin and Obama, Representative
Manzullo, Representative Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of the City of DeKalb,
all of the elected officials from the surrounding communities who
joined the 10,000 people who came to a memorial service to express
their sorrow, but also to express their sense of hope, to express their
sense of frustration, to express their sense of solidarity with all of
these students and their families, with the hope and the pledge that we
will do everything in our power to try and make sure that this type
tragedy does not continue to occur and reoccur on our college campuses
across the Nation.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1007 and
join with my colleagues in expressing my condolences to those who have
been affected by the shooting incident at Northern Illinois University
that killed 6 and injured 18 people last month. I thank my friend and
fellow Illinois colleague, Representative Don Manzullo for introducing
this resolution.
I know that words will not bring those six people back or erase the
fear in the eyes of those injured by this event. All I can say is that
my heart goes out to the families of the
[[Page H1257]]
victims, and to the students and faculty who survived--I too mourn with
you.
Northern Illinois University is less than 100 miles northeast of my
congressional district, so news of the shooting hit close to home for
me. At a time like this we find ourselves asking ``why?'' and jumping
to conclusions about campus security and gun control. However, we
seldom talk about the stigma of mental health in our Nation. I find it
appropriate that on the same day we are considering this resolution, we
are also debating the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity
Act, legislation that will make it easier for people to seek and
receive mental health treatment.
I believe we need to do more on mental health care in this country in
addition to other measures to make our schools, our children and our
young adults safe.
Again, my condolences go out to all those affected by the horrific
shooting at Northern Illinois University--may you find comfort in those
still with you and my you come together as a community once again and
move forward to better times.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of H. Res. 1007, expressing the condolences of the House to those
affected by the devastating shooting incident of February 14, 2008 at
Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois.
The shootings at Northern Illinois University, on Thursday, February
14, reminded us once again that the wrath of violence can easily
destroy the lives of many students seeking education. On that day, a
gunman took the lives of 5 students and wounded 17 more. My deepest
sympathies and thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the
community of students, teachers, and staff.
This reaffirms the steps we must take as public officials to ensure
that schools, colleges, and universities in the United States are a
safe and secure environment for learning. We must take a hard look at
gun regulation. We must regulate the process by which civilians are
able to obtain firearms for the sake of protecting those who may be
victims of senseless crimes. Americans must stop apologizing and
actually do something about the problem. We must stop denying that
problems like this will never happen in our communities. A system of
educating students and parents about gun safety should be paralleled
with education systems by providing students with councelors, or
spiritual advisors.
I express my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved
ones of those who were killed in the tragic shooting: Gayle Dubpwski,
Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne Mace, and Daniel Parameter. As
citizens of the United States, we offer support to the victims'
families with prayer and hope for a speedy recovery to those who were
wounded. I commend the emergency responders, law enforcement officers,
health care providers, and counselors who performed their duties with
professionalism and dedication in response to the tragedy.
The Northern Illinois University Community must be determined to move
`forward, together forward', in the words of the Huskie fight song, and
persevere through this tragedy. Indeed they must trod with heavy hearts
but unbroken spirits.
I cannot begin to understand how the actions of something so terrible
could occur in one of our institutions of higher learning. Our Nation
continues to grapple with this horrific event. We can never completely
understand why these things happen. I realize that no words can heal
the wounds of February 14, 2008 for the NIU family, but I extend my
arms as a Member of the United States Congress in offering all of my
prayers, support, and hugs for your family during this difficult time.
Mr. Davis of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1007.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________