[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 109 (Monday, July 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING JON MEIS

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 14, 2014

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a young man from my 
district who is truly a hero. On June 5, 2014, Seattle Pacific 
University was faced with tragedy when a shooter opened fire in one of 
the university's residence halls. A student was killed, and it was only 
thanks to the actions of Jon Meis from Renton, Washington, that more 
lives were not taken.
  Mr. Meis is himself a student at SPU and when he was placed in a 
dangerous situation, he gave no thought to his own life. Instead, he 
acted to protect his fellow students by pepper-spraying and tackling 
the gunman, allowing the police enough time to get to campus and take 
control of the situation.
  As a former police officer, I know just how critical Mr. Meis's 
actions were in apprehending the shooter and saving lives. I am so 
proud of this young man: for his courage, his dedication to his 
community, his selflessness. I am proud of the way our greater Seattle 
community has banded together to support the SPU community during this 
difficult time, and I mourn with them for the young man who died that 
day. As Mr. Meis himself pointed out, it takes a tragedy to make a 
hero. I know we all wish such an event had never taken place, but Mr. 
Meis ensured that further tragedy was prevented. So, once again, I 
thank him and I honor him.

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