[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 88 (Friday, June 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONDEMNING SHOOTING AT U.S. HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2009

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
529 and to express my outrage at the violent attack on the United 
States Holocaust Memorial Museum on June 10, 2009, along with my 
deepest sympathies to all of those who knew Stephen T. Johns, the brave 
and honorable security guard who tragically died in the attack.
  Stephen T. Johns, 39, died tragically in the line of duty as he 
defended the Holocaust Memorial Museum from an attack by acknowledged 
white supremacist, racist and anti-Semite James von Brunn. He leaves 
behind his sister, his wife and his 11-year-old son.
  It is tragic that, as this incident demonstrates all too vividly, 
racism and anti-Semitism are still alive in America. It is tragic 
whenever there is a revolting act of violence that takes the life of an 
innocent person. It is especially tragic that, in this situation, the 
forces of hate and violence were unleashed at this august institution 
that is dedicated to memorializing and preventing a recurrence of the 
Holocaust that appallingly took the lives of millions of innocent 
civilians.
  Mr. Johns and all the rest of the security guards in the Holocaust 
Memorial Museum deserve our fullest commendation, as they acted 
heroically to prevent the museum's despicable attacker from enacting 
even more harm.
  I condemn the shooting completely, fully and without reservation. 
This type of attack is totally unacceptable, as are the racist and 
anti-Semitic motivations underlying it. I thank my friend, Rep. Klein, 
for introducing this important resolution.

                          ____________________