[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H2385-H2389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THANKING THE FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2013, the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Tsongas) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.


                             General Leave

  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues from 
Massachusetts to thank the law enforcement officers, medical 
professionals, first responders and citizen heroes for their incredible 
bravery and sacrifice during and after the tragic events last week at 
the Boston Marathon.
  Given the time constraints, I'd like to now yield to my colleague 
from Massachusetts, Bill Keating.
  Mr. KEATING. I'd like to thank my colleague for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank so many of our colleagues that we work 
with day in and day out. When we came here back into session, so many 
of them gave their heartfelt feelings for all those that were hurt 
during the terrible marathon bombing that occurred in Boston on April 
15.
  We first remember those that lost their lives during this terrible, 
terrible tragedy. And there's never words that are adequate to deal 
with these issues. That type of loss to family, to friends, to loved 
ones can't really be put into words.

                              {time}  1420

  I can only convey my own, as well as our colleagues', sympathy for 
those families. Four young people's lives were taken too quickly from 
us all--four people who had so much to give. They were four people who 
we had a glimpse of with the accounts of their lives as the public 
mourned and joined with their families at their loss. It was just a 
glimpse. But what a glimpse:
  A young boy, Martin Richard, had a profound message, as his poster 
revealed to all: ``No more hurting people. Peace.''
  Lu Lingzi, who came here from another country to study and to better 
herself; an accomplished student, pianist, a young woman who had 
developed tremendous friendships in the short time she was here, who 
came to this country to learn more, to become more, and to offer more.
  Sean Collier, a young police officer who dedicated himself to helping 
people. To protect and to serve, that was his goal. He gave his life 
doing just that.
  Krystle Campbell, a young, vibrant woman; a person who, despite a 
busy life, busy schedule, put much of her life on hold--over a year--to 
help her grandmother when she was ill.
  There were the first responders and the people that were injured, 
over 280, including Richard Donohue, an MBT police officer who 
participated with Watertown police in slowing down these perpetrators 
before they could harm more people. He was seriously injured. We pray 
for him in the process.
  There were first responders on the scene, including civilians who 
just risked everything they had to provide emergency aid and help to 
those runners and those bystanders who were there. They were first 
responders that had been trained for years for terrible moments like 
this, who sacrificed their safety moving forward--EMTs, police 
officers, firefighters.
  The incredible medical community in the Boston area, some of whom ran 
to work knowing what happened and were there, ready, emergency room 
doors opened, everything in place, saving lives.
  We honor the citizens in our area who all gave up a small part of 
their freedom listening to their leaders who displayed good judgment, 
common sense, and moving forward to put their safety first.
  Those lives of those four young people that aren't with us now, as 
well as the lives of those people that are recovering from the injuries 
and those first responders that helped us, will not be defined by a 
depraved act of violence of two individuals. These people are the 
definers themselves: givers, people that care. That's who we are. They 
define the best in us, the selfless side in us. They define the best of 
what's Boston. They define the best of what's in the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts. They define the best of us as Americans. And they are 
all to be remembered today. It's a time to put politics aside and 
remember what a great country we have because of individuals like this.
  Ms. TSONGAS. I thank the gentleman and appreciate very much his 
heartfelt comments.
  At this time, I would like to yield to my colleague from Rhode 
Island, David Cicilline.
  Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentlelady very much for yielding and 
thank my other colleagues for accommodating me.
  My home is in Providence, Rhode Island, which is about an hour south 
of Boston. Two weeks ago, several of my friends and neighbors traveled 
to Boston to compete in the marathon. When I first learned of these 
horrific attacks, my thoughts first turned to them and their families.

[[Page H2386]]

  Like all Rhode Islanders, I've kept the people of Boston and their 
loved ones in my thoughts and prayers over the past 2 weeks. It's in 
moments such as this that words fail to adequately describe the pain we 
feel in our hearts, our continuing sense of disbelief, and the anger we 
hold toward those responsible for such a senseless and vicious attack--
the actions of these two individuals that demonstrated such a callous 
disregard for so many lives, some were ended and many were irreversibly 
changed.
  These attacks were an attempt to shake the very foundation of our 
democratic and free society. But after these bombs exploded on a 
beautiful sunny day in Boston and we saw the incredible harm caused to 
so many, we also witnessed the very best of humanity in the courageous 
actions of the brave men and women who responded to this attack, helped 
care for the injured, and relentlessly pursued their perpetrators and 
brought them to justice.
  We think about those brave police officers and first responders who 
witnessed these attacks firsthand and instinctively raced towards the 
source of these blasts so they could assist the wounded and keep others 
from harm. We think also about a 26-year-old MIT campus police officer 
who was murdered as he worked to keep his community safe. We think 
about an MBTA transit police officer who never hesitated when he 
answered a call to report immediately to Watertown and continues to 
fight after sustaining life-threatening injuries trying to apprehend 
these suspects.
  Sometimes it takes a tragic event to remind us of the incredible 
sacrifices our first responders make every single day. And the heroism 
demonstrated by these men and women in the face of such overwhelming 
danger helps remind us just how much we owe to those who keep our 
communities safe in cities and towns all across this country.
  These attacks were designed to strike fear and intimidate the people 
of Boston and all Americans. But instead, they brought out the very 
best that our country has to offer, not just in the actions we saw from 
men and women in Boston, but in the generosity shown by those who gave 
blood, donated money, and did everything they could to bring any 
measure of relief for the victims and their families.
  I join my colleagues in applauding their service today, and ask that 
all of us remember the responsibility that those of us in the House 
have to serve our first responders and to continue to keep the families 
affected by this attack in our thoughts and prayers.

  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, on April 15 and in the days after, local, 
State, and Federal law enforcement personnel from across the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and nearby States of Rhode Island and New 
Hampshire joined in a weeklong effort to respond to the marathon 
bombing and assist in finding and capturing the suspects. These 
dedicated first responders saved hundreds of lives in the immediate 
aftermath of the attack and saved countless more from the threat of 
future attacks.
  Through unprecedented communication and confident leadership, public 
safety agencies at every level coordinated to bring justice down upon 
those responsible. Their actions proved that no act of terror can blunt 
the spirit of resiliency, of fortitude, of endurance that is at the 
heart of the American people.
  As relief and pride wash over the Boston area, we must not forget 
that there is still much healing to be done. Our thoughts and prayers 
continue to be with the families of Martin Richard, a young boy whose 
big smile we will never forget and whose sign, ``No more hurting 
people. Peace,'' is a living challenge to all of us; Krystle Campbell, 
a fine young woman who, since she could, has attended virtually every 
marathon day, so emblematic of the great event that it is for the city 
of Boston, but also for the entire Commonwealth and region; Lu Lingzi, 
a young student from China, so emblematic of the ways in which Boston's 
great academic institutions draw people from across the world to share 
in the great treasure that we have there, but also to participate in 
those great days that are uniquely American, like Patriots' Day; and 
Officer Sean Collier, somebody beloved by the student body.

                              {time}  1430

  I had several MIT students in to see me just a couple of days ago. 
They said everybody knew him and everybody liked him.
  And the more than 200 innocent people--a number from my district--who 
suffered severe injuries from this senseless attack, we want to 
remember and encourage all of them as they go forward.
  Jeff Bauman, who suffered tragic loss of limbs, but who, as he came 
out of surgery, was able to help identify the suspects.
  The Corcoran family, a mother and daughter who are currently sharing 
a hospital room together as they begin the long journey of recovery but 
who are already having tremendous assistance. Lowell High School, where 
Krystle is a student, sent prom tickets to be sure that she would make 
her way there. And many amputees, who have successfully gone on to new 
lives, were in the waiting room waiting to encourage them as they go 
forward and to show them what is possible.
  Richard Donohue, Jr., the MBTA Transit policeman who rushed to 
assist, doing his duty critically injured.
  Also from my district, Brittany Loring, Steven Byrne, James 
Gauntlett, David Yepez, many members of the White family, the Brassard 
family, and Roseann Sdoia; remarkable people who shared in a tremendous 
and troubling moment in our history.
  I'd also like to remember some other specific people who have roots 
to my district.
  Commissioner Ed Davis. I have known Commissioner Davis since his 
early days on the beat in my hometown of Lowell. During a 28-year 
career at the Lowell Police Department Davis worked as a beat cop, a 
detective, and a vice and narcotics officer before being named chief in 
1994.
  During his time in Lowell, Chief Davis helped to turn around our city 
and set it off into an age of growth. We were proud of him when he left 
to become the Boston Police Commissioner, and we are even more proud of 
him now.
  Commissioner Davis showed extraordinary intelligence, 
professionalism, poise and confidence from Monday through the capture 
of the suspects on Friday. He was a calming influence in a time of 
great chaos and crisis. He deserves the thanks and gratitude of the 
people of Boston, of our Commonwealth, and of our country.
  I commend Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers, who proved 
himself extremely capable during the entire crisis as he oversaw the 
massive operation of identifying and tracking down the suspects and 
helped bring the swift arm of justice down upon those responsible.
  Also, at times of great crisis we look to our leaders for guidance 
and confidence. Our leaders--city, State and Federal--did not shy away 
but rather confronted the chaos head-on, challenged the evil, and 
pushed forward so that we could, together as one community, arrive 
quickly at healing and justice.
  In particular, Mayor Tom Menino. This mayor came from the hospital to 
be involved in the aftermath and suspect search. Seeing him on 
television in a wheelchair gave everyone a great feeling of pride, and 
we couldn't help but notice how deeply he cares for the city he has so 
ably overseen for many years. He embodies the grit and toughness that 
Boston is known for. He embodies Boston Strong.
  Governor Deval Patrick was a true leader during a time of crisis. He 
helped oversee the coordination of so many agencies to ensure optimal 
collaboration and made sure the public was up to date and aware of the 
situation as it developed, as we all watched moment to moment from our 
homes or whatever we might be. He stood with gravitas and a determined, 
strong composure that trickled down throughout the State public safety 
agencies.
  And we will always appreciate President Barack Obama's deep 
involvement since the start. His words during the service at the 
Cathedral of the Holy Cross were a touching example of our Nation's 
unwavering resolve. As much as we are Boston Strong, Commonwealth 
Strong, we are all one and we are all strong.
  I have to say that the interfaith service was a remarkable moment, 
when representatives of the many different faiths came together as we 
embarked

[[Page H2387]]

on a journey of healing and reassurance about the unity, strength and 
resiliency that Boston is known for.
  It was a uniquely American day. The marathon that is much celebrated 
draws people from across the world, across our country, across 
Massachusetts; a great Red Sox game--many go from one event to the 
other; and Patriot's Day, which commemorates the beginning of the 
American Revolution, the reenactment of Paul Revere's ride, and the 
Shot Heard Around the World. The commemoration takes place in my 
district.
  All of that is to say that we will work hard to follow up with and be 
strong supporters of those who still seek to recover, make sure they 
have all the necessary resources going forward, and that they have the 
strong support of their community and friends. And we will do all that 
it takes to move forward from this tragic moment and to make of it 
something good that brings us all together and helps continue this 
country on a path of healing.
  With that, I'd like to yield to my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. 
McGovern).
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank my colleague, Niki 
Tsongas, for organizing today's Special Order, and I thank her for the 
time.
  It is with immense gratitude that I rise to honor Massachusetts' 
first responders today. While I'm always proud to call myself a 
resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being from Massachusetts 
has carried a very special significance these past 12 days.
  The tragic bombings that occurred on April 15 took three precious, 
innocent lives and caused hundreds of others to suffer devastating 
wounds. A former intern of mine, Patrick Downes, and his wife, Jess, 
were wounded. I want them to know that we are continuing to pray for 
them and for all the others who are wounded.
  We also remember Officer Sean Collier, an MIT police officer who was 
shot and killed. Our prayers are with his family.

  So many lives were upended by this tragic, senseless act of violence. 
Citizens of the Commonwealth and Americans across the country are still 
coping with the horror of the bombings that took place on what is 
normally a celebratory day in Massachusetts--Patriot's Day. Amidst 
these acts of violence and terror, our belief in the fundamental 
goodness of people is strengthened when we reflect on the courageous 
acts of so many in the wake of such a tragedy.
  I want to recognize the incredible sacrifices of Massachusetts' first 
responders and the sacrifices that they made from the moment the bombs 
went off until the time the final suspect was apprehended.
  Even as we speak, victims are still being treated by medical 
professionals at some of the world's finest hospitals, like 
Massachusetts General, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Medical Center, 
Brigham and Women's, and Boston's Children's Hospital, among others.
  Police, firefighters, medical professionals, members of the National 
Guard, even ordinary citizens rushed to the scene of the bombing last 
week in order to help the wounded, potentially putting themselves in 
harm's way. Sleep was the last thing on the minds of many of these 
selfless men and women who worked back-to-back shifts in support of the 
communities they call home.
  The extraordinary response of the Boston medical community is very 
much a part of the story of the 2013 Boston Marathon. The explosions 
took place at 2:50 p.m. Emergency medical teams mobilized immediately, 
and 35 minutes later--after the injured were swiftly and efficiently 
stabilized, transported and triaged at hospitals throughout the city--
the first patient was wheeled into an operating room. Nurses, doctors, 
all medical personnel simply showed up to help.
  I want to recognize the incredible leadership of President Obama, of 
Governor Deval Patrick, and of Boston Mayor Tom Menino. They offered 
words of comfort, they reassured us, and they helped us get through 
this terrible ordeal. I was particularly moved to see Mayor Menino, who 
was recovering from a broken leg, stand tall and lead his great city.
  I also want to recognize Richard DesLauriers, the special agent in 
charge of the Boston FBI and an Assumption College graduate, for his 
outstanding work which led to the apprehension of the final suspect. 
They have all made our State very proud.
  At the interfaith service last week, we showed the world that Boston 
and Massachusetts will not be deterred. We are a resilient community, 
and we will emerge from this stronger than ever. In a week where we saw 
the very best and worst of human behavior on display, I am proud to say 
that Massachusetts' best, our first responders, triumphed.
  While we continue to reflect on the tragedies of last week, we move 
forward with a renewed sense of pride, knowing that their exceptional 
commitment to public service is what makes us all Boston Strong.

                              {time}  1440

  Ms. TSONGAS. I thank the gentleman and appreciate his comments and 
the fact that we are all coming together to talk about this event we 
are still working very hard to comprehend.
  With that, I would like to yield to my colleague, our newest Member 
from Massachusetts, Congressman Kennedy.
  Mr. KENNEDY. I would like to begin by thanking the gentlelady from 
Massachusetts for the opportunity and most importantly for pulling us 
all together here today to mark a moment that none of us will ever 
forget, a signature moment in Massachusetts history.
  I also want to begin by recognizing the victims of the horrific 
attacks that happened last Monday. Our thoughts and prayers are with 
them and their families as they begin a long road to recovery. I, I 
think like many of my colleagues from Massachusetts and like so many 
people from Massachusetts and from really around the country and around 
the world, have always delighted in Marathon Monday. I don't know how 
many times I went out and watched the runners as they ran by on their 
quest to the finish line on Boylston Street. My stepmother has actually 
run the marathon a number of times; and together with my dad and 
brother, we would often go down to Heartbreak Hill to watch the runners 
at the time that they need it most.
  As you see all the runners run by, I think one of the things that 
always stuck with me was how many people were there cheering them on. 
As you think about it, 26.2 miles, with people from the very beginning 
in Hopkinton to the end on Boylston Street in Boston, two, three, four, 
five rows deep on each side of the street, sitting there, screaming, 
yelling, offering a bottle of water or literally a hand to those who 
are trying, striving for an incredible feat of personal endurance and 
excellence.
  That is really, I think, to me what that marathon, what that day, is 
all about. It's about a community that comes together to cheer on not 
just the runners but to celebrate what we have built together, to 
recognize that that day isn't just about those individual feats of 
excellence but about a community that is willing to cheer on complete 
strangers, for runners to know--and you'll hear it if you talk to those 
that have competed in that race--that, yes, it is an extraordinarily 
difficult course, but that Boston is one of the best marathons to run 
because there is always a crowd that is there to carry you through to 
the finish line. Complete strangers, people you have never seen before 
and will never see again, but they are there to offer a hand.
  And so it was with great sadness, but also great pride, that I 
watched the events unfold on Monday, to see complete strangers run into 
danger rather than flee from it; to see our first responders answer our 
call of bravery without hesitation; to meet the doctor that after 
running the marathon and completing 26.2 miles ran to work so that he 
could get started helping save victims; to meet some of the victims and 
their families, to know that we will never, despite how much we have 
come together, be able to replace Martin and Krystle and Lu and Officer 
Collier, but that the long path to recovery, that we will be there with 
them for every step of the way; to recognize the law enforcement 
officers that put themselves in grave danger, never quite knowing what 
might happen or what weapons these two terrible individuals might have 
on them, that took

[[Page H2388]]

great risks for the sake of safety for our own communities; to the 
investigators and the prosecutors that now have the long task of 
bringing these individuals to justice; to our sports teams, to the 
17,000 strong that sang the national anthem in Boston Garden and the 
30,000-plus that belted it out at Fenway Park; to Mayor Menino, Vice 
President Biden and President Obama for their leadership in this 
difficult time; to the One Fund for Boston that in shortly over 10 days 
has already grown to over $20 million, pouring in from citizens from 
around the country to help provide a little bit of relief to those who 
will need it most in this long road to recovery.
  It is an extraordinary message, a powerful symbol that gets back to 
what Boston and Massachusetts have always been about. From the first 
people that set foot on our shores, the earliest settlers and the 
Pilgrims, that we have each other's backs and we always will, and that 
next year on Patriots Day the marathon will be run more crowded and 
louder than ever.
  Ms. TSONGAS. I thank my colleague for his very insightful comments. 
It is so true: it's a spirit of community that was so evident. It's 
embedded in the race itself, the marathon itself. It's something that 
was so evident as everybody responded, as the bombs went off to tragic 
effect. It's been followed up with all the tremendous outpouring of 
contributions both to individual funds as well as the One Fund; and in 
the smallest of ways, as I mentioned, Lowell High School sent prom 
tickets to Sydney Corcoran, wanting to make sure that she would be able 
to attend, and also that spirit of help from across the country, to 
have a young man who lost his leg in a shark attack in Hawaii at his 
own expense come to Boston to visit with some of those who had sadly 
lost their legs, to say, yes, you're going to be, not fine, forever 
changed, but your life will be very productive and positive. We have 
seen this over and over again, and I thank you for your comments.

  With that, I would like to yield to my colleague from New Hampshire, 
Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Thank you very much for having this moment, an 
opportunity to talk about Boston and also to talk about the country and 
to talk about Boston's neighbor, New Hampshire.
  On that day, like so many others, I had a family member whose 
brother-in-law was running in that race and he was running because his 
father had died of cancer. And so many people were running for causes 
that day. Fortunately, the family is fine, but some families were 
devastated beyond belief.
  You know, Boston is a small city, but it's a great city; and New 
Hampshire is a small State, but it's a great State. And so what happens 
to Boston and what happens to Massachusetts is felt deeply in New 
Hampshire. You see, we work together, we play together, and we attend 
events together. We also grieve together. And so when that call came to 
New Hampshire, when Boston reached out and asked our police forces to 
help, the answer from a Nashua SWAT team member was, of course we can. 
The answer from the Manchester SWAT team--Manchester, New Hampshire--
was, yes, and they were on their way. The answer from the Seacoast 
Emergency Response Team, SERT, that has officers from 11 different 
seacoast communities was, yes; and the answer from the New Hampshire 
State Police SWAT and the explosives disposal unit was, yes, we'll be 
there.
  They understood the danger, but they also understood that they were 
needed and they didn't hesitate. And the stories coming from that 
experience are very moving. One team reported how an elderly woman in 
Watertown had hidden behind her couch for hours. You can imagine the 
terror that the residents felt. And yet our first responders were 
there, the police were there, the comfort was there.
  So as we pray for the victims and we remember those who died, the 
victims are also from New Hampshire and many other States, as we know, 
and somebody died from a foreign country, but we're all one. We're all 
Boston strong. As we remember all of them, we thank our police officers 
and our first responders for always being there when we need them 
because, as they said when the call came, yes, of course we'll do that.
  Thank you very much for having this.
  Ms. TSONGAS. I thank the gentlewoman and appreciate very much her 
comments as well as the shared commitment of Rhode Island, New 
Hampshire, and Massachusetts to responding to the horrific attacks.
  As we face the days ahead, Patriots Day will continue to be a day 
when we commemorate a people who refused to be terrorized and 
courageously defend the ideals on which our Nation was founded.
  In the words of our great poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, ``Our flag will 
most defiantly remain unfurled in April's breeze.''
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in remembrance of the victims of the 
terrorist bombings that struck the City of Boston during the 117th 
running of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. I rise also in prayer 
for the recovery of all those who were injured in this horrific attack 
and to honor the heroism of the responders to this tragedy.
  Krystle Campbell, a resident of Arlington in my Congressional 
District and graduate of Medford High School, lost her life at the 
Boston Marathon finish line doing what she loved to do: support other 
people. She was 29 years old, just a few weeks from her 30th birthday, 
with a lifetime of helping more people ahead of her.
  Krystle's annual pilgrimage to the marathon represented who she was, 
says her family. When people needed support, Krystle was there. When 
her grandmother needed help following surgery, Krystle moved in with 
her for two years to help her recover.
  Krystle's smile, hard work, and constant happy demeanor is what her 
family and friends will miss. But most of all, they will miss what she 
was always known for: being there when you needed her, being a joyful, 
active participant in the lives of her family and friends.
  In our grief, we know that Krystle is still there, still cheering all 
of us on, still there in our hearts. Today we honor her memory and the 
joy she brought to so many lives.
  Martin Richard, an eight-year old boy from Dorchester, Massachusetts, 
had his entire life ahead of him.
  He loved to play sports, draw pictures, and was dearly loved by his 
family, friends, classmates, and community;
  Lu Lingzi came to the United States from China to study statistics at 
Boston University. She posted to her friends that morning of April 15th 
that she was enjoying her day. Lu Lingzi reminds us of our common 
humanity, and that these senseless acts of terrorism are crimes that 
have no borders.
  In the seconds, hours, and days following the bombings, Massachusetts 
and the nation witnessed the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of law 
enforcement officers and other first responders. Officer Sean Collier 
of Wilmington, Massachusetts, gave his life, the ultimate sacrifice, 
during this ordeal.
  Sean was an outstanding officer of the MIT police force on his way to 
a position on the Somerville police force. Yesterday the Somerville 
Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to posthumously name Sean Collier a 
Somerville police officer. Somerville's Mayor Joseph Curtatone said 
``This person was exemplary as a public servant and a human being. He 
would have been an outstanding member of the Somerville Police 
Department.''
  Officer Collier was on his regular shift, protecting the students at 
MIT, when he was assassinated by two twisted individuals as Officer 
Collier sat in his police cruiser.
  We mourn his loss, along with his family, the MIT community, 
Massachusetts, and Americans everywhere.
  Officer Collier was known by his family, friends, and co-workers as a 
generous, kind, and dedicated individual and officer. His friends say 
he was always armed with a sense of humor, and his roommate who trained 
with him at the academy said his only fault was that he was too brave.
  Officer Collier represents the best of Massachusetts and of law 
enforcement. We honor his memory and know that his life of service and 
sacrifice will never be forgotten by Massachusetts or the nation.
  In the early morning of Friday, April 19, 2013, after a week of 
searching for suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings, and just hours 
after an MIT officer had been assassinated, Massachusetts law 
enforcement spotted and engaged the two brothers who were accused of 
committing the bombings.
  The officers who exchanged fire with the two brothers were met with 
heavy resistance by the suspects. 200 or more rounds of ammunition are 
reported to have been fired on the corner of Dexter and Laurel Streets 
in Watertown, Massachusetts, in my congressional district. The bombers 
also hurled explosives at the officers, turning a city street into a 
battlefield.

[[Page H2389]]

  One officer of the MBTA police force, Richard Donohue, Jr., was 
struck in the leg during the firefight. He likely did not know then, 
but his academy classmate and friend, Sean Collier of the MIT police 
force, was the officer felled by the bombing suspects hours earlier.
  Officer Donohue of Woburn in my congressional district raced to help 
his fellow officers--not a surprise for an officer known as an avid 
runner and a dedicated public servant. His family notes that his great-
great-grandfather even won the Boston Marathon, where Officer Donohue 
started his week working a shift at this iconic race.
  Officer Donohue is being cared for in the hospital, with his family 
by his side. An entire Massachusetts family of citizens remains forever 
in his debt for putting his life on the line to keep us safe.
  We mourn the innocent victims who lost their lives on Patriots Day at 
the Boston Marathon: Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard and Lu Lingzi. We 
grieve for Office Sean Collier, who was killed by the bombers as he 
protected the students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
(MIT). We pray for the recovery of MBTA Police Officer Richard Donohue, 
Jr. and all those injured in the blasts. We honor the heroism of all of 
our police officers, fire fighters, medical staff and other emergency 
responders.
  We will never forget. We will always remain ``Boston Strong''.

                          ____________________