[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 26, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5176-H5177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGEDY AT CAPITAL GAZETTE

  (Mr. SARBANES asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, on June 28, 2018, a gunman shot and killed 
five employees of the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland. 
The Annapolis community, which I have the privilege of representing, 
was shaken to its core and will continue to grieve for years to come. 
But that same community also reached deep within itself to find an 
amazing resiliency which helped lift up the families who were 
victimized by this unconscionable act of violence.
  On this anniversary and in solidarity with those families as well as 
hundreds of friends, coworkers, and acquaintances, we honor the memory 
of Rob Hiaasen, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, John McNamara, and 
Rebecca Smith.
  We must also confront the fact that those targeted by this cowardly 
assault were members of our valued local press corps. In America we 
cherish our free and independent press. We honor our journalists who 
follow the facts and find the truth. This terrible tragedy struck at 
the heart of newsrooms large and small across the country.
  The day after this tragedy the Capital Gazette went to press--an 
inspiring act of courage and determination that rallied the Annapolis 
community.
  Today, as we remember Rob, Wendi, Gerald, John, and Rebecca, let us 
also honor the courage of the whole Capital Gazette staff. Their 
dedication, their service to our community, and their commitment to a 
vibrant free press are a tribute to the journalism profession.

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