[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3536-S3537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE AURORA, COLORADO, SHOOTING

  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, on July 20, 2012, Colorado suffered a 
horrific mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora. A gunman took 12 
innocent lives from us, each of them full of aspirations for a future 
that was tragically and senselessly cut short. They leave behind 
family, friends, and a community in Aurora that still carries the pain 
of their loss a decade later.
  Colorado will never forget and forever honor the 12 victims of the 
Aurora shooting. Today, I ask to read their names into the 
Congressional Record.
  Jonathan Blunk was 26 years old. He was a father of two who moved to 
Colorado in 2009 after three tours in the Persian Gulf and North 
Arabian Sea for the U.S. Navy. He was a certified firefighter and EMT. 
Jon lost his life protecting his friend Jansen Young from the gunman's 
line of fire. Jon shielded her from gunfire by pushing her to the 
ground while shots were fired. He was supposed to fly that Saturday to 
Nevada to see his wife Chantel Blunk and his 4-year-old daughter and 2-
year-old son. Instead, his wife had to put up the dress her daughter 
had picked out to wear to the airport. She told her daughter that they 
would not see their dad anymore, but that he would still love them and 
look over them.
  Alexander Jonathan Boik was 18 years old. His friends and family 
called him A.J. He had just graduated from Gateway High School. He 
enjoyed baseball, music, and making pottery. A.J. was supposed to start 
art classes at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design that fall. 
He was described ``as being the life of the party,'' who could bring a 
smile to anybody's face.'' He was a young man with a warm and loving 
heart.
  Jesse Childress was 29 years old. He was an Air Force cyber systems 
operator based at Buckley Air Force Base. He loved to play flag 
football, softball, and bowl. He was a devoted fan of the Denver 
Broncos and held season tickets. His superior officer described him as 
an invaluable part of the 310th family who touched everyone with whom 
he worked.
  Gordon Cowden was 51 years old. He was originally from Texas and 
lived in Aurora with his family. He was ``a quick witted world traveler 
with a keen sense of humor, he will be remembered for his devotion to 
his children and for always trying to do the right thing, no matter the 
obstacle.'' Gordon took his two teenage children to the theater the 
night of the shooting. Both of them, thankfully, made it out unharmed.
  Jessica Ghawi was 24 years old. She was an aspiring journalist, most 
recently interning with Mile High Sports Radio in Denver, and went by 
the nickname ``Redfield.''' She was hard-working, ambitious, and had a 
generous spirit and kind heart. When several homes were destroyed by 
Colorado wildfires, Jessica collected hockey equipment to donate to the 
kids affected because she wanted to help. That was who she was.
  John Thomas Larimer was 27 years old. He was a cryptologic technician 
with the Navy based also at Buckley Air Force Base, a job that requires 
``exceptionally good character and skills.''' Originally from Chicago, 
John was the youngest of five siblings and had joined the service just 
over a year before the shooting. Like his father and grandfather, John 
chose to serve in the U.S. Navy. John's superior officer called him 
``an outstanding shipmate, a valued member of the Navy and an extremely 
dedicated sailor.'' Colleagues praised his calming demeanor and 
exceptional work ethic.
  Matthew McQuinn was 27 years old. Matt died while protecting his 
girlfriend Samantha Yowler by jumping in front of her during the 
shooting. Matt and Samantha moved to Colorado from Ohio last fall and 
worked at Target. He and Samantha were in love and planning their 
future life together. Matt's bravery saved Samantha's life.
  Micayla ``Cayla'' Medek was 23 years old. Cayla was a graduate of 
William C. Hinkley High School in Aurora and a resident of Westminster. 
She worked at Subway and was a huge Green Bay Packers fan. Cayla would 
plan weekend activities around watching the games with her brother and 
father. She is remembered as a loving and gentle young woman.
  Veronica Moser-Sullivan was 6 years old. She had just learned to swim 
and attended Holly Ridge Elementary School in Denver. She was a good 
student who loved to play dress-up and read.
  Alex Sullivan was 27 years old. He was at the movie celebrating his 
27th birthday and first wedding anniversary. He loved comic books, the 
New York Mets, and movies. Alex was such a big movie fan that he took 
jobs at theaters just to see the movies. Alex stood 6 feet, 4 inches, 
and weighed about 280 pounds. He played football and wrestled before 
graduating high school in 2003 and later went to culinary school. Alex 
was known as a gentle giant and was loved by many.
  Alexander C. Teves was 24 years old. Alex received an M.A. in 
counseling psychology from the University of Denver and was planning on 
becoming a psychiatrist. He also competed in the Tough Mudder, an 
intense endurance challenge, and helped students with special needs. 
Alex was at the theater on the night of the shooting with his 
girlfriend Amanda Lindgren. When the gunman opened fire, Alex 
immediately lunged to block Amanda from the gunfire, held her down, and 
covered her head.
  Rebecca Wingo was 32 years old. Originally from Texas, Rebecca joined 
the Air Force after high school, where she became fluent in Mandarin 
Chinese and served as a translator. She was a single mother of two 
girls and worked as a customer relations representative

[[Page S3537]]

at a mobile medical imaging company. Rebecca was also enrolled at the 
Community College of Aurora and had been working toward an associate of 
arts degree. She was known to family and friends as a ``gentle, sweet, 
beautiful soul.''
  When I came to the floor a decade ago, I said that scripture tells us 
``not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.'' That is 
what the people of Aurora have done for the past 10 years. Today, we 
recommit to not remember July 20 for the evil act that day.
  We choose to remember the beautiful lives lost and the loved ones 
they left behind.
  We choose to remember the 70 wounded survivors, whose resilience in 
the years since is a testament to humanity's resolve.
  We choose to remember the heroic acts of everyday citizens, our first 
responders, and medical personnel who saved lives that otherwise surely 
would have been lost.
  And we choose to remember the profound generosity of the Coloradans 
and Americans who donated blood in record numbers and raised funds to 
support the survivors.
  A decade later, Colorado and the country continue to draw strength 
from the example set by the people of Aurora. And we recommit to ending 
the American scourge of gun violence--unique among industrialized 
nations--that has cut short too many innocent lives in our communities.

                          ____________________