[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 5, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING RYAN KEITH COX

  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, Ryan Keith Cox was 50 years old when he 
was shot and killed on May 31. He was known for his soft-spoken nature 
and his powerful singing voice in his church choir, and he was 
constantly affecting those around him with small but meaningful 
gestures of kindness.
  The day that he was killed in Virginia Beach, a close coworker of 
Ryan's, Christi Dewar, was with him when the shooting started. Ryan 
told Christi and other colleagues to barricade themselves in the break 
room. Christi implored Keith to join them in the break room, but he 
said to her ``I have to go check on the other ones.'' Keith left and 
was soon shot by the gunman as he was assisting other coworkers in 
reaching safety.
  Christi said:

       Every time I was upset, [Ryan] would give me a [big] hug. 
     When I was upset about something, he knew exactly what to say 
     to make you smile. He's the type of person who you know would 
     lay down his life for someone, just like he did.

  Bishop Williams of Faith World Ministries in Norfolk said that he had 
known Keith and his family for years. They were close, a very loving 
family, and had just been ``leaders in the church world,'' Bishop 
Williams said.
  Ryan Keith Cox was 50 years old when he was shot in Virginia Beach.

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