[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 10, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H6600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR VICTIMS OF THE HARTFORD DISTRIBUTORS TRAGEDY

  (Mr. LARSON of Connecticut asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise on a very solemn and 
sad moment to express condolences to families of the victims within my 
congressional district in the State of Connecticut.
  I have always empathized with my fellow colleagues when they address 
the House about fateful events that occur in their communities. I just 
never imagined that tragedy would strike so close to home. And it's 
hard to conceive, I know for everyone here, that bad things happen to 
good people.
  On the morning of August 3, 2010, eight men went to work, some 
looking forward to vacation, others nearing retirement, none expecting 
the calamity that would follow. I thank my colleagues for indulging me 
the time to express the heartfelt condolences of the Nation and this 
body. Eight men went to work that morning. Some of them followed in the 
footsteps of their fathers and brothers before them. This is a family 
business, many of whom had served and worked at this family business 
for over 20 years. Neither they nor their families and friends could 
anticipate the senseless, unthinkable actions that occurred on that 
morning. Yet bad things happen to good people.
  So consequently, ordinary people are going through extraordinary 
circumstances, punctuated by acts of heroism, courage, and camaraderie 
that unites them. These eight men, Bill Ackerman of East Windsor, Bryan 
Cirigliano of Newington, Francis Fazio of Bristol, Louis Felder of 
Stamford, Victor James of Windsor, Edwin Kennison of East Hartford, 
Craig Pepin of South Windsor, and Douglas Scruton of Manchester, lost 
their lives that day.
  They were Teamsters of Local 1035. But beyond that, they were 
husbands, fathers, grandfathers, coaches, and friends. They were 
leaders and stalwarts in their communities where they lived and served. 
All were part of a family business, which makes this so tragic, a 
family that's operated a business since 1955. The owner of that 
business I was with that fateful morning. Stunned and shocked, as 
everyone was, his thoughts were only about the safety and well-being of 
his workforce, his concern as to whether or not they would be able to 
keep their wages. And he talked to the comptroller, making sure that 
benefits would be extended. And his heart went out to all of the 
families who were victims of this senseless, tragic slaying.
  It's a family business. It was a tragic and horrific thing that took 
place in Manchester, Connecticut. What the people of Hartford 
Distributors have, as they went through this, and the several vigils 
and memorials that have been created, and the funeral services that are 
still going on, is they understand that they have one another. And they 
intend, later this week, to lock arms and march back into the warehouse 
together, and continue to move forward, always remembering those eight 
men.
  I ask that the Members rise and observe a moment of silence in memory 
of these eight men and their families during this senseless tragedy.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members will rise and observe a moment of 
silence.

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