[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H8163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER ELIJAH HARNUM

  (Mr. KIHUEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KIHUEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the life of 
Christopher Elijah Harnum.
  On November 13, 2010, Chris was a victim of gun violence, a 14-year-
old boy shot through the stomach as he played with his friends.
  Chris spent over a year in the hospital recovering from his injuries. 
As he recovered, Chris devoted his life to serving others. Chris worked 
to become an EMT so that he could help those in need.
  In the aftermath of the October 1 shooting in Las Vegas, Chris formed 
Vegas Out of Ashes, a nonprofit devoted to helping those victims. Chris 
personally collected donations, purchased water and goods, promoted 
blood drives, and visited local hospitals.
  Through it all, Chris struggled with PTSD and depression from his own 
trauma. The events of October 1 reopened Chris' wounds, and as he 
worked tirelessly to help those suffering around him, Chris suffered 
himself.
  On August 19, 2018, Chris lost his battle against depression.
  Today, I honor Chris as a fighter, who rose from his own ashes to put 
the needs of others above his own, who exuded love through his own pain 
and who embodied the best of what it means to be a Nevadan, a Las 
Vegan, and an American.

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