[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 112 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H4670-H4671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRAGEDY AT THE BERRIEN COUNTY COURTHOUSE

  (Mr. UPTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, southwest Michigan has had some tough times 
lately, and now we are faced with the news that broke yesterday that 
two bailiffs at Berrien County Courthouse in my hometown of St. Joseph, 
Michigan, were slain by an inmate who had overpowered his guard.
  So I rise today to offer support and love for the victims' friends, 
family and certainly our entire community. We should continue to keep 
those affected in our hearts and in our minds. I also want to thank the 
countless folks on the front lines who clearly prevented the tragedy 
from even being worse.
  The swift actions of those on the ground need to be commended, 
particularly the Berrien County Sheriff's Department led by Sheriff 
Paul Bailey. I was with him just this past Saturday, and what he had to 
endure the last 24 hours is unthinkable.
  I also want to thank the immediate action and outpouring of support 
from our local officials: St. Joseph Mayor Mike Garey; Benton Harbor 
Mayor Marcus Muhammad; and State-elected officials, including our 
Governor Rick Snyder and State legislators John Proos and Al Pscholka. 
It is times like these when we need to unite as one. This heartbreaking 
tragedy happened

[[Page H4671]]

in the blink of an eye, but we will never forget.
  We will remember and honor Joe Zangaro, who I knew personally, who 
was the head of courthouse security, a retired Michigan State Police 
officer. We will remember and honor Ronald Kienzle, a U.S. Army 
veteran, retired Benton Township police officer.
  I ask my colleagues and those who hear this message across the 
country to pray for the families of the two victims, the speedy 
recovery of another deputy, James Atterberry, Jr., and a civilian 
caught in the middle, Kenya Ellis. We will get through this together.

                          ____________________