[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H4348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       MARKING TRAGIC ANNIVERSARY OF ERIC TARPINIAN-JACHYM MURDER

  (Mr. ESTES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I rise on the 1-year anniversary of the 
tragic murder of my intern, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.
  His family endured a devastating loss that no family should ever have 
to go through. Last summer, Eric was horrifically murdered in the 
Nation's Capital when he was shot while walking on the street. He was 
only 21 years old.
  My staff and I feel the loss of Eric every day. We remember the time 
we spent with him at the Congressional Baseball Game last year when he 
remarked that he loved working on Capitol Hill. We remember when he sat 
in our front office and was always happy to greet visitors with a 
smile. We remember how he helped with the daily press briefings every 
single morning. Also, we mostly remember his dedication to serving 
others, which is why he came to Washington to intern in a congressional 
office.
  We will never forget Eric for the rest of our lives, and we will 
never forget the evil that took him from the world.

  The hearts of his family; his friends; my staff; my wife, Susan; and 
I are still impacted by the loss of a bright young man whose life was 
tragically cut short by senseless violence.
  However, Eric did not die in vain. Eric's murder was a catalyst for 
criminal reform in Washington, D.C. Due to his death, President Trump 
brought in the National Guard to protect other innocent people like 
him, the millions of Americans who come to D.C. because of their love 
of country and public service. We can say that because of Eric, many 
people's lives were saved from the violence he fell victim to.
  Through this tragedy, we find comfort in knowing that Eric is now in 
the hands of Jesus Christ, our loving Savior. I pray God will continue 
to provide peace and strength for Eric's family and everyone who knew 
him on this sad anniversary.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to observe a moment of silence to 
remember Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.

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