[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 165 (Tuesday, November 19, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H7200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     35TH ANNIVERSARY OF JONESTOWN

  (Ms. WILSON of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today we mark the 35th 
anniversary of the massacre of Jonestown.
  Prior to September 11, this was the deadliest event in U.S. history, 
excluding wars and natural disasters. More than 900 innocent people 
were killed after being seduced by the charismatic but deeply disturbed 
Jim Jones.
  Mr. Speaker, among the dead was Congressman Leo Ryan, the first 
Congressman to be assassinated in the line of duty. He went to Guyana 
out of concern for the safety of his constituents there. Most of them 
were of African American descent.
  Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who was then on Congressman Ryan's 
staff, was shot five times and had to wait 22 hours for assistance.
  Today, I introduced a resolution honoring their extraordinary bravery 
and calling on the Speaker to establish protocols to memorialize 
Members who die in the line of duty. Out of the tragedy of Jonestown, 
true heroes were revealed.

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