[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E560-E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF RILEY CARL HOWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK MEADOWS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2019

  Mr. MEADOWS. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise 
today to recognize Riley Carl Howell, a hero from Waynesville, North 
Carolina. Riley gave the ultimate sacrifice when he saved the lives of 
his fellow classmates at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 
on April 30, 2019.
  I am honored and humbled to have represented a young man so full of 
life, courage, and selfless character. Riley Howell was fatally shot 
when a gunman entered his classroom at the University of North Carolina 
at Charlotte and opened fire. Rather than fleeing, twenty-one-year-old 
Riley Howell bravely charged the gunman--knocking him off his feet, 
which enabled his classmates to find cover and allowed the authorities 
more time to apprehend the gunman. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police 
hailed Riley as a hero and stated that his bravery prevented further 
violence and saved his classmates' lives. Riley's selfless actions on 
April 30th clearly demonstrate his courage in the face of adversity--
confronting danger to protect those around him--even at the risk of his 
own life.

[[Page E561]]

  My deepest sympathies go out to Riley's loved ones that are left 
behind to grieve his passing and honor his sacrifice. Riley's life 
touched many, especially his parents, Thomas Howell and Natalie Henry-
Howell, and his siblings, Iris, Juliet, and Teddy. Riley was an 
enthusiastic student and graduated from T.C. Roberson High School in 
Asheville, North Carolina, before studying at Asheville-Buncombe 
Technical College, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 
While in school, Riley served as a cadet in the Army Reserve Officer 
Training Corps (ROTC). The ROTC motto is ``Leadership Excellence''--
Riley embodied the spirit of this motto in his life by helping and 
encouraging those around him, and ultimately by putting the safety of 
others ahead of his own. Riley's life brought endless joy to those 
around him, and his legacy of sacrificial love will continue to inspire 
and encourage all the lives he touched.
  Riley had a tremendous impact on his community, and he will always be 
remembered as a hero. Riley's life was celebrated in Lake Junaluska, 
North Carolina on Sunday, May 5, 2019. Riley's example of putting 
others first brings John 15:13 to mind, ``Greater love has no one than 
this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.''

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