[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7003-H7005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF FORT HOOD SHOOTINGS
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 319) recognizing the anniversary of
the tragic shootings that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5,
2009.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 319
Whereas, on November 5, 2009, a gunman entered the Soldier
Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Texas, and opened
fire on military and civilian personnel who were preparing
for deployment or who had recently returned to the United
States from overseas;
Whereas 13 people were killed, including 12 soldiers, one
of whom was an expecting mother, and one former soldier;
Whereas 31 people were wounded, and some of the wounded
required months of care and rehabilitation;
Whereas civilian and military law enforcement personnel of
the Department of Defense acted swiftly and courageously to
neutralize the threat;
Whereas Army medics immediately began treating the wounded,
greatly reducing the loss of life;
Whereas nearby Army personnel selflessly evacuated wounded
individuals to safety prior to the threat being eliminated;
and
Whereas the Fort Hood regional communities, the State of
Texas, military service organizations and countless Americans
united in support of the Fort Hood victims and their
families: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the shootings that occurred at Fort Hood,
Texas, on November 5, 2009, as a tragic event in the history
of the Army and the United States;
(2) extends its deepest sympathies to the families and
friends of the victims of the shootings who had already
sacrificed a great deal by righteously answering their
country's call to serve;
(3) honors the civilian law enforcement personnel of the
Department of Defense for effectively implementing their
training to promptly eliminate the threat, thereby limiting
additional loss of life or injury;
(4) commends the Fort Hood command team for its timely
response and situational control; and
(5) expresses gratitude to the Fort Hood communities,
military personnel stationed at Fort Hood, military service
organizations, and the American people for promptly extending
comfort and assistance to the victims of the shootings and
their families.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Jones) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
General Leave
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on
the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. CRITZ. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution
319, recognizing the anniversary of the tragic shootings that occurred
at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009.
I am grateful to my colleague from Texas (Mr. Carter) for his work in
authoring this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, last November a gunman opened fire at the Soldier
Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, where military and civilian
personnel had recently returned from deployment or were preparing to go
overseas. This was an event that saddened every American, and it is
important that we as a Nation remember those killed and injured and
that we honor those who responded with courage and skill to assist the
victims.
Ultimately, 12 soldiers and one civilian lost their lives in this
atrocious attack. In addition to these 13 unfortunate Americans who
were murdered that day, 31 more were wounded. Many of them were
seriously wounded, but a quick response from Army medics saved lives
and mitigated the severity of some of the injuries. Soldiers and
civilians rushed to remove those in need of medical attention from the
building, even while the threat of the gunman was still present. At the
same time, law enforcement personnel worked to eliminate the danger to
Fort Hood and to the surrounding community.
I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to the families and
friends of those killed and injured in the Fort Hood shootings and
express gratitude to the soldiers, Army civilians, and local residents
who assisted in the rescue and recuperation of the victims, especially
as the anniversary of this event draws closer.
{time} 1220
I urge my colleagues to recognize the soldiers and civilians killed
and wounded by voting in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 319.
List of Soldiers and the Former Soldier Who Lost Their Lives at Ford
Hood
Lieutenant Colonel Juanita Warman.
Major Libardo Caraveo.
Captain John Gaffaney.
Captain Russell Seager.
Staff Sergeant Justin Decrow.
Sergeant Amy Krueger.
Specialist Jason Hunt.
Specialist Frederick Greene.
Private First Class Aaron Nemelka.
Private First Class Michael Pearson.
Private First Class Kham Xiong.
Private Francheska Velez.
Michael Cahill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on November 5, 2009, 13 people were killed and 31
wounded at Ft. Hood, Texas, when a gunman attacked unarmed military
civilian personnel who were preparing for deployment or who recently
returned to the United States from deployments. This was an attack that
devastated the people there and across this Nation. It was a senseless
act of horror that betrayed our respect and dignity for human life.
I want to thank my colleague, Representative John Carter of Texas,
for introducing this legislation to give all Members the opportunity
today to once again stand in support of the men and women at Ft. Hood
and their families who suffered in that time of trial.
This resolution also honors those military and civilian law
enforcement officers who acted swiftly and courageously to neutralize
the threat, as well as the medical personnel who immediately began
treating the wounded, thereby reducing the loss of life.
While we wait for the justice system to decide the fate of the
gunman, it is
[[Page H7004]]
important that we also recognize that Ft. Hood's preparations
beforehand enabled a timely response and situational control once the
attack occurred. Unfortunately, the attack at Ft. Hood signals the
requirement that such preparation apply to all of our military
installations.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my
friend and colleague, the chairman of the Military Construction and
Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and original cosponsor of
this resolution, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).
Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House
Concurrent Resolution 319 and want to commend my colleague from Texas
(Mr. Carter) for offering this resolution and also for his tremendous
leadership day in and day out on behalf of the incredible soldiers and
families of Ft. Hood.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of citizens all across America, we rise today
to express our deepest respect for the soldiers and families of Ft.
Hood, Texas, as we approach the 1-year anniversary of the tragic
shooting there. I want to reaffirm to the Ft. Hood families that they
are still in the thoughts and prayers of our Nation.
It is a tragedy beyond words that Americans who were willing to risk
their lives for our country and combat abroad ended up losing their
lives here at home in an attack that just 1 year ago would have seemed
unimaginable. While the 12 soldiers and one civilian killed at Ft. Hood
last November did not die in combat in a foreign country, they gave
their lives defending America, and for that, we will always consider
them heroes. The spouses, children, and families of the fallen may not
have worn our Nation's uniform, but they, too, have served our Nation
through their deep personal sacrifice. We will never ever forget that
sacrifice. We cannot bring back their loved ones, but I hope that they
will forever feel the collective love and gratitude and prayers of
millions of their fellow Americans.
Mr. Speaker, during this attack last year, Ft. Hood was a scene of
unspeakable tragedy, but I know it as a place of great triumph--a place
where service to country isn't just an idea; it is a way of life, a
place where the American spirit is alive and well.
I hope the world will see the Ft. Hood I saw as its Representative in
Congress for 14 years through three combat deployments. When I think of
Ft. Hood, I think of soldiers, their families, their children, and
their neighbors in nearby communities who care for each other and are
proud to serve and, yes, sacrifice for our Nation's freedom.
Ft. Hood is known as ``The Great Place'' because that is what it is:
past, present, and future. The actions of one deranged gunman should
not, and will not, change that fact. The servicemen and -women of Ft.
Hood, their families, and the neighboring communities are a very
special, unique family. They make Ft. Hood what it is--a shining star
in our Nation's defense, a star that will burn brightly for decades to
come.
While we honor the sacrifice of our veterans and our troops on
Veterans Day and Memorial Day, I hope Americans will remember every day
how blessed we are to live in a land where our servicemen and -women
and their families are willing to sacrifice so much in service to
country. Let us all rededicate ourselves to honoring our troops, our
veterans, and their families. Let us remember them not just on Veterans
Day and Memorial Day with our words but every day.
Today, we send our prayers to those who were wounded, physically and
emotionally, by the unprovoked attack last year at Ft. Hood, and we ask
that God keep them in His loving arms, those who gave that day, in the
words of Lincoln, ``their last full measure of devotion to country.''
Michael Grant Cahill, civilian physician assistant; Major L. Eduardo
Caraveo; Staff Sergeant Justin M. DeCrow; Captain John P. Gaffaney;
Specialist Frederick Greene; Specialist Jason Dean Hunt; Sergeant Amy
Krueger; Private First Class Aaron Thomas Nemelka; Private First Class
Michael Pearson; Captain Russell Seager; Private Francheska Velez;
Lieutenant Colonel Juanita Warman; and Private First Class Kham Xiong.
While these heroes are now in God's loving arms, we here on Earth
shall not forget them.
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter), who introduced this resolution, as
much time as he might consume.
Mr. CARTER. I thank my friend for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent
Resolution 319 commemorating the 1-year anniversary of the terrible
shooting at Ft. Hood, Texas.
On November 5, 2009, a gunman entered the Soldier Readiness
Processing Center at Ft. Hood, Texas, and mercilessly opened fire on
military and civilian personnel who were preparing for deployment or
who had recently returned from being overseas in a deployment. Thirteen
people were killed in this attack, including 12 soldiers, one of whom
was an expecting mother and one former soldier. Thirty-one people were
wounded. Some of the wounded, like Staff Sergeant Patrick Zeigler, have
required months of care and rehabilitation, and that is an ongoing
situation.
But wonderful stories come out of this. One story that I heard, as a
young soldier saw his sergeant get shot the third time, he jumped
between his sergeant and the shooter and took the rest of the rounds
into his body because he just was afraid his sergeant wouldn't be able
to survive any more.
At the time there was a graduation ceremony going on at Ft. Hood from
college, and a bunch of young soldiers were graduating from college
right next door. When the call went out for medics, multiple members of
that group threw off their cap and gown before they graduated and took
off next door to the processing center to work with the wounded.
Without regard to their own safety, civilian and military law
enforcement personnel, including Sergeants Munley and Todd, acted
swiftly and courageously to neutralize the threat, using the active
shooter training program they had recently completed.
{time} 1230
Army medics immediately reverted to their combat-honed training and
began treating the wounded, greatly reducing the loss of more life.
Fellow soldiers from everywhere descended upon this area and, while the
shooting was going on, risked their lives to evacuate their brethren
safely to Darnall Army Hospital.
Fort Hood regional communities, the State of Texas, military service
organizations, and countless Americans united in support of Fort Hood
victims and their families, collecting millions of dollars in
charitable donations. My office has worked hard to ensure that the Fort
Hood victims receive all the benefits to which they are entitled as
combat victims. Additionally, we are working with the Department of
Defense to overcome regulatory obstacles that have prevented the
victims and their families from receiving charitable donations. I am
hopeful our Senate colleagues will agree to these legislative
adjustments included in this year's defense authorization bill to
ensure that Fort Hood victims and their families receive every benefit
to which they are rightly entitled.
I want to thank the House Armed Services Committee and the House
leadership for working with my office to swiftly bring this resolution
to the floor.
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Fort Hood victims and
their families by passing this House Concurrent Resolution 319.
Mr. Speaker, I intentionally did not discuss the accused shooter in
an effort to protect his right to a fair and impartial trial when that
trial occurs.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, as the House considers H. Con. Res. 319
recognizing the anniversary of the shootings at Fort Hood last
November, I would like to pay tribute to all of the 43 shooting
casualties and recognize two of my constituents.
Staff Sergeant Amy Krueger of Kiel, Wisconsin, was one of those who
lost their lives that day. Following the 9/11 terrorists attacks, she
was moved to join the Army because she wanted to help keep America
safe. She was proud of her military service and returned to Kiel High
School to share her experiences with current students. Staff Sergeant
Krueger had been to Afghanistan previously and, like others in the
Soldier Readiness Processing
[[Page H7005]]
Center that day, was about to be deployed again.
In his remarks at the Fort Hood memorial service shortly after the
shooting, President Obama shared a story that symbolizes Staff Sergeant
Krueger's energy, drive and determination. He said, ``When her mother
told her she couldn't take on Osama bin Laden by herself, Amy replied
`Watch me.' '' That spirit was evident to all who knew her.
In the small Wisconsin town of Kiel, the news of Staff Sergeant
Krueger's death was met with an outpouring of love and support for her
family and friends, as well as respect for her service to our country.
On Memorial Day this year, the town unveiled a memorial in her honor
that includes words that meant so much to her: ``All Gave Some--Some
Gave All.'' As we mark this sad day one year later, we remember Staff
Sergeant Krueger and send our thoughts and prayers to her loved ones.
Private First Class Amber Bahr of Random Lake, Wisconsin, is a Sixth
District resident who was injured in the shootings. As the events
unfolded that terrible day, Amber immediately reacted to help her
injured comrades and did not even realize that she too had been shot.
This generous spirit was also cited by President Obama as an example of
the bravery and caring of these soldiers for one another.
Our service men and women have joined the military to serve their
country; many, like Amy, to join the fight against terrorism. I am sure
they did not expect that they would be fighting it here on U.S. soil.
I join my colleagues in supporting H. Con. Res. 319 as we take time
to remember and pay our respects to those lives lost, as well as
commend and thank the civilian and military law enforcement personnel,
the medics and all others who helped those in need that day.
Mr. JONES. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 319.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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