[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF THE VICTIMS OF THE SAN BERNARDINO ATTACK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NORMA J. TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the tragic 
shooting in San Bernardino last week and to recognize and honor the 
victims who lost their lives.
  Despite the increasing frequency with which these kinds of events 
seem to occur, we never expect them to happen in our community. But 
this December 2nd, that is exactly what happened and tragedy hit home.
  I knew the Inland Regional Center well and represented the city of 
San Bernardino during my time in the State Senate. And on this tragic 
day, five individuals who lived in cities I represent were taken from 
this world.
  Isaac Amanios was a Fontana resident who came to this country from 
Eritrea looking for a better life for his children. He was described as 
an amazing father, brother, an amazing everything.
  Sierra Clayborn, a UC Riverside graduate, previously lived in 
Ontario. Those who knew her say she was energetic, thoughtful, and 
always smiling, and she loved what she called her blooming career in 
public and environmental health.
  Larry Daniel Kaufman, a resident of Rialto, considered himself a free 
spirit, loved horror movies, and talked to everyone he met.
  Yvette Velasco was 27 and a Fontana resident who was full of life and 
loved by all who knew her. Those close to her say she embodied 
intelligence and ambition.
  And Benetta Bettadal of Rialto was a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, 
also in my district. She came to the United States fleeing Islamic 
extremism and the persecution of Christians following the Iranian 
revolution. In a horrible twist of fate, she lost her life at the hands 
of the same kind of extremism that brought her to this country.
  Isaac, Sierra, Larry, Yvette, Benetta. These were our neighbors. They 
could have been our children, our loved ones, or our friends. As our 
community begins to heal, we owe it to them and to the other nine 
victims to ask ourselves how to best honor the vibrant lives that were 
taken from us much too soon.
  Mr. Speaker, far too many communities have felt the pain that the San 
Bernardino and Inland Empire community is facing right now. Far too 
many Americans have lost loved ones in similar acts of violence. It is 
now up to us in Congress to use this tragedy as a catalyst for a 
serious, productive, and respectful dialogue on the actions we can and 
must take to prevent this kind of tragedy from ever happening again. 
Inaction is inexcusable and an affront to the lives lost on that tragic 
day.

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