[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2259-H2260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REMEMBERING THE MASS SHOOTING AT OLD NATIONAL BANK IN LOUISVILLE, 
                                KENTUCKY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from

[[Page H2260]]

Kentucky (Mr. McGarvey) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago today in Louisville, Kentucky, 
it was a crisp, bright Monday morning. The Easter sun had silently set 
the night before on blooming dogwoods and azaleas, and a new day had 
sounded in with only the squeaking of school brakes interrupting the 
birds chirping to signal the changing of the seasons. The perfect 
spring awakening to welcome families back to school from spring break, 
while ushering the rest of us into work with a sense of rebirth and 
renewal.
  Louisville is lucky to be blessed with such scenes of beauty on an 
annual basis. The sounds, sights, and smells are familiar and 
wonderful. Instinctively, we know that antihistamines are coming out of 
our bathroom cabinets and the Derby is right around the corner. Spring 
is when Kentucky's natural beauty, pageantry, and homegrown hospitality 
are on display for the world to see. This is why it was so shocking. 
You never think it is going to happen in your community; that no one 
could do this, but this is why we truly did not think it was possible--
not in Louisville, not now.
  But on April 10, 2023, a lone gunman with an assault rifle walked 
into the Old National Bank on Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky, and 
opened fire on his colleagues. Spring's ritual beauty was shattered by 
the unfamiliar booms of an AR-15, the acrid smell of smoke, sirens, and 
screams.
  Five people were killed--Josh Barrick, Deana Eckert, Jim Tutt, 
Juliana Farmer, and my friend, Tommy Elliott. These five innocent lives 
were taken from us far too soon.
  Josh was a loving husband and young father; Juliana Farmer was 
expecting another grandchild; Deana Eckert was known for her generosity 
and her compassion; Jim Tutt was a community leader; and Tommy Elliott, 
who was a longtime friend of ours, loved life, people, jokes, and 
stories. All will be missed.
  Eight others were wounded in the shooting, including LMPD Officer 
Nick Wilt, who took an AR-15 round to the head as he selflessly ran 
toward the gunman and saved lives. Miraculously, he survived.
  On the same day, just blocks away at Jefferson Community and 
Technical College, Chea'von Moore lost his life at 24 years old, and 
another woman who was caught in the cross fire between classes 
miraculously survived. Our thoughts are with them, their family, and 
their loved ones, as well.
  It has been 1 year since we lost Tommy, Josh, Juliana, Jim, Deana, 
and Chea'von. They have been missed at milestones such as birthdays, 
graduations, and holidays, and every moment in between.
  We will never forget them. Their memories live on in all of us who 
remember and love them.
  As we honor those we lost, our community remains so grateful to every 
first responder who arrived on the scene that morning and leaped into 
action. They saved lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the Louisville Metro Police Department, the 
Louisville Fire Department, the FBI, EMS, and the UofL Hospital trauma 
team. I thank them for their incredible service to our community on 
April 10, 2023, every day before, and every day since.
  I stand here today not just as a Member of Congress, but as a 
lifelong Louisvillian whose community joined the long list of cities 
touched by senseless, preventable gun violence.
  It is not just mass shootings that rock communities; everyday gun 
violence in Louisville and across our country has taken far too many 
lives too soon. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death in 
children. Children.
  There is so much more we can and must do, like combating the root 
causes of crime and expanding mental health services as well as pushing 
commonsense gun reforms like universal background checks, extreme risk 
protection orders, and banning assault weapons.
  Last year, days after the Old National Bank shooting, I stood on the 
steps of the Capitol with other members of the Gun Violence Prevention 
Task Force and asked the majority to bring gun safety legislation to 
the floor. I am here today asking again for my colleagues across the 
aisle to work with us like they have before to make our communities 
safer.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. McGARVEY. Reflecting on what this day means to me and our 
community, I am reminded of how strong Louisvillians are.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. McGARVEY. Friends, neighbors, and loved ones came together to 
support one another through an unimaginably tough time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  The gentleman is no longer recognized.

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