[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H5509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING HEROES AND VICTIMS IN COLLIERVILLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KUSTOFF. Madam Speaker, last week, our community in Collierville, 
Tennessee, experienced a horrific tragedy.
  On Thursday, September 23, last week, a gunman opened fire at the 
Kroger on Byhalia Road. Fifteen people were shot, and one woman, Olivia 
King, a mother and grandmother, died as a result of her injuries in the 
hospital later that day.
  Roberta and I are praying for Olivia King's children, her family, and 
her friends at this difficult time.
  As Collierville Alderman Maureen Fraser said: ``Everybody needs to be 
more like Olivia King. She was very kind, very generous, very 
Christian, and a rule-follower.''
  Our hearts go out to all the victims, their loved ones, and everyone 
in the entire community who has been impacted.
  I want to quote Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane, who said that 
Collierville is ``one of the most resilient communities in America.'' I 
believe that this is an absolutely true statement.
  On that tragic day, we witnessed our brave heroes--law enforcement 
officers, Federal agents, firefighters, EMTs, doctors, nurses, and 
other local officials--spring into action. Not a single person 
hesitated to act or tend to a person in need.
  Their training and selfless actions helped save people's lives that 
day. There is no doubt about it. I cannot thank enough everyone for 
their incredible bravery and courage that day.
  The collaboration and cooperation between all the law enforcement 
agencies and all the first responders was tremendous. These agencies 
included: the Collierville Police Department; the Collierville Fire 
Department; the Shelby County Sheriff's Office; the Germantown Police 
Department; the Germantown Fire Department; the Memphis Police 
Department; the Memphis Fire Department; the Bartlett Fire Department; 
the Bartlett Police Department; the Fayette County Sheriff's Office; 
the DeSoto County, Mississippi, Sheriff's Office; the Tennessee Highway 
Patrol; the FBI; and other Federal law enforcement agencies. They 
worked flawlessly together to address and handle the situation in a 
timely and professional manner.
  I also commend Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane's strong and 
effective leadership, and I thank his entire staff for their heroism. 
Special commendation also goes to Collierville Fire Chief Buddy 
Billings and his men and women for their swift action that prevented 
the additional loss of life.
  Further, I want to recognize all the first responders, the doctors, 
the surgeons, the nurses, and their staff for delivering the necessary 
and immediate care to these victims.
  Lastly, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to 
Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner, Town Administrator James Lewellen, and 
Collierville Municipal School Board Chairman Wright Cox for their 
continued and strong leadership.
  Mayor Joyner issued a proclamation declaring tomorrow, September 30, 
2021, at 1:30 p.m., as a day of prayer and meditation for the town of 
Collierville and her victims.
  The people of Collierville are strong and resilient. They will always 
remain Collierville Strong.

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