[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 8, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     TRIBUTE TO OFFICER ERIK CLARK

 Mr. MARSHALL. Madam President, I rise today to honor a true 
hero from Olathe, KS Officer Erik Clark. His brave actions during an 
active shooter situation at Olathe East High School helped keep an 
already tragic situation from taking students' lives.
  On Friday, March 4, a senior student at Olathe East was called into 
the administration office after a tip that he had brought in a gun to 
school. A few minutes into meeting with the assistant principal, the 
senior wouldn't open his backpack, prompting Officer Clark--the 
school's resource officer--to step into the situation. Shortly after 
Clark arrived, the student pulled out his weapon and began opening 
fire.
  In a flurry, Clark responded and returned fire, ultimately shooting 
and subduing the student, but not without himself and the assistant 
principal being wounded as well. Both, however, have thankfully been 
discharged from the hospital. I pray that something like that may never 
happen in those halls or any others across America again, for even 
though there were no fatal wounds, the scars of trauma everyone at 
Olathe East will surely run deep.
  Lastly, I want t thank this brave officer for being so courageous to 
dive headfirst into peril on that day. If it were not for Officer 
Clark, this situation could have turned out to be a much darker day in 
Olathe. As the son of a police chief, I know the risks our men and 
women in blue take on each day. I admire Officer Clark for continually 
working to ensure our safety. He has shown what true valor looks like, 
and Olathe East is safer because of him. I ask now that my colleagues 
show this same admiration and recognition for Officer Clark and that he 
may stay safe protecting his community.

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