[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H9810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  REMEMBERING LIVES LOST AT SANDY HOOK

  (Mrs. HAYES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 26 beautiful 
lives that were lost on December 14, 2012.
  Today marks 10 years since 20 innocent children and 6 selfless 
educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, 
Connecticut.
  Newtown is a small community with a big heart, a community that 
changed forever 10 years ago. Bonded by a shared grief no one can ever 
truly comprehend, the lives of my constituents in this community were 
reshaped forever.
  While this community has mourned the loss of their loved ones, they 
have also honored their memories through service. Every single family 
who lost a loved one at Sandy Hook has found a way to be of service, 
with everything from violence prevention programs like Sandy Hook 
Promise, to Embrace Hope, which is an equine therapy program. There is 
the Ana Grace Project and Ben's Lighthouse, Charlotte's Litter Therapy 
Dog Program, the Emilie Parker Art Connection, and everything from 
butterflies to puppies. There is the Vicki Soto Project, which is a 
fund to promote a love of teaching.
  These are just a few, but every single family affected honored the 
memory of their loved ones through service. These families have all 
found ways to turn their grief into action.
  While I recognize that we have so much work to do as legislators in 
this body, my only ask of you today, colleagues, is that we not let the 
deaths of these children be in vain and that we recommit ourselves to 
making our schools and our communities safe and find ways to turn 
solemn moments like this into action.

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