[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DR. DAVID BENKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE COFFMAN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. David 
Benke, a math teacher at Deer Creek Middle School in Littleton, 
Colorado.
  Dr. Benke is an ordinary American--husband, father, teacher and 
coach--but his actions this week in the face of grave danger were 
nothing short of extraordinary.
  As school was letting out on Tuesday, a gunman approached and opened 
fire on students.
  Upon seeing the suspect, Dr. Benke, in a moment of extreme bravery, 
rushed towards the shooter, wrestled him to the ground, and held on as 
his colleagues helped subdue the shooter.
  He broke up a potentially deadly school shooting, and if it were not 
for the rapid and selfless actions of Dr. Benke and his colleagues it 
could have been a much more violent and tragic encounter.
  When asked about his actions, Dr. Benke modestly remarked, ``If 
something happens and there's something I can do about it, I want to 
try and do something about it.''
  He did more than just ``something.''
  There are many heroes in our midst, and sometimes it takes an 
extraordinary moment of danger to bring out their true valor.
  The people of the Sixth District are fortunate to have Dr. Benke in 
our community. It is ordinary people like him who do extraordinary 
things that keeps our community safe.

                          ____________________