[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 96 (Thursday, June 5, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2494-H2495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING PAITYN, EVELYN, AND OLIVIA DECKER

  (Ms. SCHRIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, alongside my colleagues in 
the Washington delegation, devastated at the tragic loss of Paityn, 
Evelyn, and Olivia Decker from Wenatchee, Washington.
  Last weekend, these little girls, ages 9, 8, and 5, were reported 
missing when their father failed to bring them home following a 
scheduled visit.
  Over the next few days, we all hoped and prayed for the best. We 
prayed that they would be found safe and well and returned to their 
mother. Then we all learned the horrific news that they had been 
murdered.
  Like so many, and I just heard it out there, I was heartbroken. These 
girls had their whole lives ahead of them with so many possibilities. 
We all live full lives. Those futures were taken from them.
  On Tuesday, hundreds and hundreds of people came to a vigil in 
Wenatchee to remember these girls and to grieve with their family and 
with the entire community.
  These young girls brought so much joy to their classroom, their 
family, and their community. This is just an unspeakable tragedy for 
the city of Wenatchee. It really is a tragedy for everybody standing in 
this room, including my Washington delegation.
  All of our hearts are with their mother, the community, their family, 
and loved ones. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with them during 
this incredibly difficult time.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse).
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Washington 
(Ms. Schrier) for yielding. I thank all my friends and colleagues here 
in the Chamber of the House today.
  Mr. Speaker, as we all just heard, tragedy and sorrow fell on 
Wenatchee, Washington, this week with the loss of three beautiful young 
girls: Evelyn, Paityn, and Olivia Decker.
  I can't believe that many of us here can truly understand the pain 
that comes to loved ones living through something like this. I thank my 
colleagues because we are here to send our most sincere condolences to 
their family; to the community; and to the people of Wenatchee, 
Washington, as they all mourn this tremendous loss.
  Today, we join the outpouring of support. It is truly amazing what is 
happening and what we are seeing back

[[Page H2495]]

home, as community members pay their respects to these three young 
ladies.
  We support law enforcement who have committed to employing any 
resource necessary to bring those responsible to justice for this 
tragedy.
  Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence.

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