[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H3976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1910
         MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR TOLEDO'S OLD WEST END COMMUNITY

  (Mr. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight because, over this weekend, 
my beloved hometown of Toledo, Ohio, suffered tragic and senseless gun 
violence in our storied Old West End community.
  As the annual Old West End Festival was underway Saturday evening, 
shots rang out. Twelve victims were injured and hospitalized. Our 
community is praying for them and in gratitude for all the officers and 
first responders who nobly rescued the injured and those medical 
personnel who treated them onsite and afterward.
  What should have been a beautiful early summer evening filled with 
music, the arts, food, and friendship was interrupted by chaos. Civil 
authorities are working to identify and locate those responsible for 
these barbaric offenses against the community and our civic life.
  The Toledo Police and Fire Departments and all first responders 
proved their courage and utter devotion to duty and restored civil 
order.
  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  Under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, because there were 
thousands of people, they answered the call and saved innocent lives. 
Much of the courage and valor they displayed may never be fully seen. 
Our community owes them a profound debt of gratitude for their selfless 
service.
  They were quick to secure the scene while getting those injured the 
urgent medical care they needed. Mercifully, all have survived, but 
with varying degrees of serious injuries.
  As well, our community is forever grateful for the strength and quiet 
heroism of Old West End residents and festivalgoers who stepped up in a 
time of great danger. They applied tourniquets, administered first aid, 
and protected those in the line of fire.
  My prayers remain with the victims and our Old West End community who 
saw a joyous celebration turn into deep tragedy. It will take time and 
work to restore comfort, security, and trust, and we all must help. I 
know our community and our region will endure because I know the 
people.
  Please let me thank those from across our Nation and around the globe 
who held Toledo in prayer this weekend. The values that define our 
community, faith, compassion, resilience, hard work, and love of 
neighbor, are stronger than violence and stronger than fear.
  I join our local law enforcement partners in asking anyone who might 
have footage or firsthand information to share that confidentially so 
that we can locate those perpetrators by calling Crime Stoppers at 419-
255-1111.
  Together, we will find answers and a better road forward. Now, let us 
help our neighbors feel safe again on our streets and in their 
beautiful neighborhood.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join in a moment of silence.

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