[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 37 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MOURNING THE PASSING OF SENATOR LOMBARDO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Magaziner) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MAGAZINER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Representative 
Amo, to honor Rhode Island State Senator Frank Lombardo III, a devoted 
public servant who passed away this month following his battle with 
cancer.
  Starting with his election to the State senate in 2010, Senator 
Lombardo was a champion in that body for the working people of 
Johnston. A successful small business owner with his own HVAC company, 
Lombardo & Sons, Senator Lombardo was a fierce advocate for the small 
businesses across our State that are the backbone of our economy.
  Moreover, the values that guided his work were rooted in the town of 
Johnston. He championed legislation to improve public health by 
guaranteeing insurance coverage for pain treatments, worked to expand 
programming to combat climate change, and increased transparency in 
Rhode Island's State tax credit program.
  Senator Lombardo was also deeply involved in the community, 
particularly in the Boy Scouts of America. He was an Eagle Scout with 
Troop 4 in Greenville and was also a camp counselor for 2 years at 
Yawgoog Boy Scout Camp.
  He was a passionate and hardworking public servant who will be deeply 
missed by all who knew him. I join Frank's friends, family, and the 
entire State of Rhode Island in mourning this loss.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Amo).
  Mr. AMO. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Magaziner for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the comments 
made by my colleague to honor the life and legacy of Senator Frank 
Lombardo. His compassion, empathy, and purpose serving Rhode Islanders 
will be dearly missed.


                          Shiloh Gospel Temple

  Mr. AMO. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the pain that our 
community is going through on Senator Lombardo's passing, but another 
issue involves the Shiloh Gospel Temple community. All of our families 
should be able to gather and worship free from the fear of harm. Our 
community in North Providence was attacked on February 11.
  That someone would set this community ablaze in a hate-fueled act 
shakes me to my core.

  I stand with Pastor Eric Perry and his congregation during this 
difficult time. The fact that this incident, this fire at the church, 
happened at all is despicable. That it happened during Black History 
Month is abhorrent.
  This allegedly racist attack has shaken our community. I am glad a 
suspect has been identified, and I hope that justice will be vigorously 
pursued.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. 
Magaziner).
  Mr. MAGAZINER. Madam Speaker, we stand united with the Shiloh Gospel 
Temple congregation and Rhode Island's Black community in the face of 
this heinous attack. Churches are more than just a place of worship. 
They are a place of refuge and community. They are safe spaces and 
sacred spaces, and no one should fear going to their place of worship 
or anywhere for that matter and in particular because of their race.
  Let me be clear. This attack on Rhode Island's Black community is an 
attack on all of us and an attack on the principles and values that we 
believe in as Rhode Islanders.
  I am thankful that a suspect was apprehended quickly and charged. 
Nonetheless, we must recognize that this is a part of a larger trend 
and an alarming rise of white supremacist violence across the Nation. 
We have seen too many racially motivated attacks across the country in 
recent years from Buffalo to Jacksonville to Charleston.
  As ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on 
Counterterrorism, I am committed to working with my colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle to do everything we can to root our domestic violent 
extremism in Rhode Island and across the country.
  Our hearts are with Pastor Perry and the entire Shiloh Gospel Temple 
congregation. There is no place for hate in Rhode Island or anywhere.

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