[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 24]
[Senate]
[Pages 33466-33467]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE SENATE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE 
TRAGIC EVENTS OF DECEMBER 5, 2007, AT WESTROADS MALL IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 393, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 393), expressing the condolences of 
     the Senate to those affected by the tragic events of December 
     5, 2007, at Westroads Mall in Omaha, NE.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and 
remember the victims of yesterday's tragic shooting in Omaha, NE. I 
know every one of my colleagues joins me in extending our prayers and 
deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims and the 
entire Omaha community.
  On Wednesday, December 5, 2007, the worst mass slaying in Nebraska 
history occurred at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, claiming the lives of 
eight victims. The names of those victims are: shoppers Gary Sharf of 
Lincoln, NE, and John McDonald of Council Bluffs, IA; and store 
employees Angie Schuster, Maggie Webb, Janet Jorgensen, Diane Trent, 
Gary Joy, and Beverly Flynn, all of Omaha. We must never forget these 
individuals or the horrible tragedy which took them from us.
  In addition, five people were wounded. Nebraska stands with each of 
them on their road to recovery.
  I concur with the words of Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, who said, ``We are 
a community who will grieve this loss. Omaha is a good city with 
wonderful people.''

[[Page 33467]]

  At Westroads Mall, this time of year is especially lovely with 
holiday decorations and music. That peace and tranquility were forever 
shattered by this senseless act of violence. Today, many Nebraskans are 
asking, ``Why?'' but there are no answers.
  We are shocked, grief-stricken and in complete disbelief. Things like 
this should not happen anywhere, but headlines like these are 
unexpected in places such as Omaha. Our community has been altered 
forever--a sentiment reflected in today's headline in the state's 
largest newspaper, which declared: ``It Happened To Us.''
  So, now as we are celebrating what should be the most joyous season 
of the year, Nebraskans are preparing to bury our dead. And we are 
praying. We ask the nation to continue to pray with us; and on behalf 
of my fellow Nebraskans, I thank you for all the prayers and 
expressions of sympathy we have received.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table, 
and any statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 393) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 393

       Whereas, on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, the worst mass 
     slaying in Nebraska history occurred at Westroads Mall in 
     Omaha;
       Whereas lives were tragically lost, and others were 
     wounded;
       Whereas the brave men and women of the Omaha Police 
     Department, Fire Department, and other emergency responders 
     acted valiantly to save lives;
       Whereas the people of Omaha have embraced those affected 
     and will continue to offer support to their neighbors who 
     have suffered from this tragedy; and
       Whereas the community of Omaha will endure the aftereffects 
     of this tragedy to emerge stronger than it was before: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses its heartfelt condolences to the friends and 
     families of those who lost their lives in the tragic shooting 
     on December 5, 2007, at Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska: 
     Gary Sharf of Lincoln, Nebraska, John McDonald of Council 
     Bluffs, Iowa, and Angie Schuster, Maggie Webb, Janet 
     Jorgensen, Diane Trent, Gary Joy, and Beverly Flynn, all of 
     Omaha;
       (2) shares its prayers and best wishes for recovery to 
     those who were wounded;
       (3) extends its thanks to the first responders, police, and 
     medical personnel who responded so quickly and decisively to 
     provide aid and comfort to the victims; and
       (4) stands with the people of Omaha as they begin the 
     healing process in the aftermath of this terrible attack.

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