[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 203 (Monday, December 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H6802-H6803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HONOR THREE LIVES LOST AT UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, 
                               LAS VEGAS

  (Ms. TITUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I invite all of my colleagues to join me and 
the members of the Nevada delegation in honoring the three precious 
lives that were lost to a heinous act of gun violence on December 6, 
2023, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where I

[[Page H6803]]

taught in the political science department for 35 years.
  Patricia Navarro Velez, an assistant professor of accounting at the 
university and a mother of four, devoted her career to educating the 
next generation of business professionals, particularly among 
underserved populations and minorities. She is remembered for her 
infectious smile and her larger-than-life personality.
  Cha Jan ``Jerry'' Chang, a professor of management information 
systems and devoted UNLV colleague for more than 20 years, was known 
for his even-keeled, positive, and unwavering presence. He is survived 
by his wife and two children.
  Naoko Takemaru was an associate professor of Japanese studies and a 
noted author, academic, and award-winning educator. In her 20th year at 
UNLV, Ms. Takemaru's colleagues remembered her as lionhearted in 
kindness.
  Today, I stand here in solidarity with my colleagues from Nevada with 
a heavy heart for the victims, their families, and all of the UNLV 
students, faculty, and staff who experienced this horrific event.
  Mr. Speaker, we honor the lives we lost and uplift the UNLV community 
during this trying time.
  I ask that we not only use this time to commemorate the important and 
selfless contributions of each of these individuals who were part of 
the UNLV community and also to remember the heroic actions of our law 
enforcement, but also to reflect on the pressing need to enact 
commonsense legislation to protect our communities from the epidemic of 
gun violence.
  I ask all of my colleagues to consider signing on to a resolution to 
this effect, which I will be introducing tonight.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House observe a moment of silence to 
honor the three lives lost and to uplift the UNLV community.

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