[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GRIEVING FOR TENNESSEE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Green) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I come to the House floor 
today with a heavy and grieving heart for my home State of Tennessee. 
No one should ever have to endure what the Covenant School community 
has gone through.
  I know that my colleagues here today understand how difficult the 
situation is, and your prayers for our community are deeply appreciated 
as we mourn this senseless loss of life.
  I want to take a moment to remember the victims of this horrible 
attack: three schoolchildren, William Kinney, Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie 
Scruggs, all age 9; and three staff members, Cynthia Peak, a substitute 
teacher, Mike Hill, a custodian, and Covenant School Headmaster 
Katherine Koonce.
  All the lives were precious.
  Mike Hill, for example, worked for the Covenant School for 15 years. 
He not only served the school and the church, but he learned every 
student's name. He was the father of seven children.
  Cynthia Peak was a beloved wife and mother.
  Dr. Katherine Koonce was a dedicated and passionate educator, who 
always put children first.
  Words cannot describe how hard it is to lose children, three precious 
9-year-old children, one of whom was the daughter of the lead pastor of 
the Covenant Presbyterian Church. These children never had a chance to 
grow up, and my heart is completely broken for these families. I cannot 
imagine.
  Nothing can be said to dull the pain of this tragedy. Tennesseans, 
and Americans worldwide, are praying and grieving with this Covenant 
community.
  Madam Speaker, I also commend all the first responders that were on 
the scene and the medical professionals that treated victims at 
Vanderbilt Medical Center.
  I especially commend the five Metro Nashville Police officers who 
arrived at the school first. These men ran toward the sound of the 
gunfire instead of away from it. Their bravery absolutely saved lives.
  The two officers that shot and killed, with a gun, the shooter, 
Officers Rex Engelbert and Michael Collazo, are heroes. They did not 
hesitate, and because of their quick response, lives were saved.
  Though unspeakable grief holds Nashville in its grasp, I honor the 
incredible heroism of Metro Nashville's first responders. Instinct and 
courage took over in the face of evil and fear. I join Tennesseans in 
expressing my sincere gratitude for their quick response.
  The outpouring of love means the world to the Covenant community and 
all Tennesseans.

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