[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE VICTIMS AND HEROES OF THE ALLEN PREMIUM OUTLET TRAGEDY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Self) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, today, I stand in solemn reflection in the 
wake of the first anniversary of the devastating mass shooting at the 
Allen Premium Outlet Mall.
  I stand to pay tribute to the eight cherished souls we mourn from 
that fateful day and to commend the courageous actions of the countless 
heroes in our community whose swift response mitigated what could have 
been an even greater tragedy.
  On May 6, 2023, the community of Allen, Texas, faced a harrowing 
ordeal as a lone gunman unleashed terror upon innocent shoppers and 
workers in the Allen Premium Outlet Mall. Amidst the chaos and 
devastation, our first responders' collective bravery and swift actions 
exemplified the highest standards of courage and professionalism as 
they selflessly risked their safety to protect and assist those in 
harm's way.
  Therefore, I extend my deepest gratitude and solemn appreciation to 
the individuals, departments, and agencies whose acts of valor 
undoubtedly saved lives and provided comfort and reassurance to a 
grieving community.
  In remembrance of the innocent lives lost--Kyu Song Cho, Cindy Cho, 
James Cho, Elio Cumana-Rivas, Christian LaCour, Daniela Mendoza, Sofia 
Mendoza, and Aishwarya Thatikonda--we honor their memory and offer our 
sincerest condolences to their families and loved ones.
  I reaffirm my commitment to combating senseless acts of violence and 
fostering communities of peace and safety. May this proclamation stand 
as a testament to the resilience, compassion, and spirit of unity that 
define our Nation in the face of adversity.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a list of those individuals and 
organizations who assisted.


                          Allen Police Officers

       Ofc. Dominique Akins, Ofc. David Childers, Ofc. Ryan 
     Dexter, Ofc John Pena, Ofc. Lane Pollan, Ofc. Daryel 
     Whitehead, Ofc. Rory Kelly, Ofc. Brett Anderson, Ofc. CJ 
     Rider, Corporal Dillon Egizi, Corporal Kyle Griffith, Sgt. 
     Chadwick Hernandez, Lt. Ty Latham, Lt. Kris Wirstrom.


                         Allen Fire Department

       Jake Blackshear, Hunter Bostick, Dean Boyce, Jonathan Boyd, 
     Kristopher Bravo, Hunter Brent, Zach Caldwell, David 
     Cannaday, Chase Condor, Tony Cooper, Marcus Corey, James 
     Cummings, Hannah DeGan, Brandon Derrick, Elton Grant, Greg 
     Grimes, Sam Herber, Jillian Hernandez, Brian Hoverman, Jared 
     Inman, Payton Lambert, Paul Lopez, Matt Madding, Steve 
     McCormick, Marc Morrow, Roger Nolen, Jeffrey Peters, Mark 
     Randle, Simeon Royal, Nolan Skidmore, Justin Sullivan, Greg 
     Truitt, Luis Vargas, Michael Wade, Daniel Williams, Michael 
     Wilson.


                                 County

       Collin County Sheriff's Office, Collin County Constable 1, 
     Collin County Constable 3.


                      Municipal Police Departments

       Dallas PD, McKinney PD, Frisco PD, Fairview PD, Hickory 
     Creek PD, Prosper PD, Wylie PD, Plano PD.


                       Municipal Fire Departments

       McKinney Fire, Plano Fire, Fairview Fire, Frisco Fire, 
     Prosper Fire, Lucas Fire, Princeton Fire.


                                 State

       Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Alcohol Beverage, 
     Commission.


                   Stop Spending Money We Don't Have

  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, the everyday people of America can't stand at 
this podium and talk about the crushing inflation Washington's spending 
has created. The single mothers struggling to put food on the table 
don't have a voting card to vote against the spending that fuels food 
price increases. Young families struggling to buy a home can't give a 
speech on the House floor about the surging home prices and mortgage 
rates.
  We are their voice. We are their Representatives, or at least we are 
supposed to be, but based on the tax-and-spend policies of the 
administration and the blowout omnibus packages forced through this 
Congress by many of my own colleagues, I might add, I don't think 
Congress is doing a very good job listening to America.
  Mr. Speaker, this Congress has passed two massive spending packages, 
continuing the blowout COVID expansion and leaving Nancy Pelosi's 
spending levels in the dust.
  What did Americans get for it? What did they get for their money? 
They didn't get a secure border. They didn't get safer cities. They 
sure didn't get a better economy.
  Mr. Speaker, do you know who did benefit from the blowout spending? 
LGBTQ youth organizations, transgender organizations, abortion 
facilities, and the FBI, which got a brand-new headquarters and 
expanded authority to spy on Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, the Washington establishment is addicted to spending my 
constituents' money, and it is never enough. We are $34 trillion in 
debt, and it is still never enough.
  I have no doubt there are plans brewing right now in this murky swamp 
to clear the decks--that is the phrase--and use the upcoming 
appropriations to force through more spending and more leftwing poison 
pills with nothing to actually secure our border and significantly cut 
spending to stimulate our economy. It doesn't have to be this way.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents and Texas District Three, I 
urge my colleagues to wake up. Stop spending money we don't have and 
commit to cutting wasteful government spending. We must bring 
prosperity back to the hardworking Americans.

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