[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 25]
[Senate]
[Page 33541]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           COLORADO SHOOTINGS

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart, saddened 
and angered by the violence that shook my State of Colorado yesterday. 
On a day that many Americans devote to family and faith, we awoke to 
news that two of our young people had been shot dead early Sunday 
morning on the grounds of Faith Bible Church in Arvada, CO.
  Tiffany Johnson was only 26 years old. Philip Crouse was 24 years 
old. They were killed, and two of their colleagues were injured as they 
worked at Youth With a Mission dormitory, waiting to welcome back kids 
who were returning from a late night youth bowling trip.
  A few hours later, 70 miles to the south, in Colorado Springs, 
violence again dared to enter a place of worship on Sunday. A gunman 
armed with a high-powered rifle, stormed into New Life Church, killing 
two sisters, Stephanie Works, age 18, and Rachael Works, age 16, and 
injuring four others, including their father.
  Only the quick thinking and bravery of a security guard was able to 
stop the rampage. Law enforcement officials throughout the day 
yesterday, last night and today, are working at top speed to get to the 
bottom of what happened. They have the full support of Governor Ritter 
of Colorado, Federal agencies, and numerous State and local law 
enforcement agencies that are working in this investigation.
  As a former attorney general of Colorado, I know firsthand the 
extraordinary capabilities of our local and State law officials. I have 
full and complete confidence in their abilities. But having overseen 
investigations, including the investigation of the shooting at 
Columbine High School, I know that however successful we may be in 
uncovering what happened and bringing justice to those responsible, the 
transgressions the Nation witnessed yesterday defy reason and 
comprehension.
  Sunday's violence has no place in our society. That five people were 
shot is a terrible tragedy, no matter in what city, neighborhood or 
street that kind of violence occurs. But that this barbarity invaded 
two places of worship, where young people were serving their community 
and where families were attending a Sunday service, stirs a particular 
outrage in all of us.
  There are certain sanctuaries we share, and they should never, ever 
see bloodshed. Schools are sanctuaries. Our homes are sanctuaries. 
Churches, mosques, synagogues, and other houses of worship are 
sanctuaries. When these places come under attack, for whatever reason, 
we all suffer, for our right to pray in peace should be inviolate.
  When someone undermines this right, we are compelled to respond. We 
are compelled to respond not just with the force of law but by 
mobilizing the force of our shared values and of our community. We must 
rebuild that sense of security that should envelop every house of 
worship in this country. Americans should never feel fear in a place of 
faith.
  Our thoughts and prayers today are with the victims of yesterday's 
attacks, with their families and friends. To those who lost a son, a 
daughter or a friend, I know no words can assuage the pain you feel. I 
can only hope that in time your memories of the service, faith, and 
love of those you lost will overcome the senselessness of this terrible 
tragedy.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today to express, on behalf of 
myself and my wife Joan, our devastation and heartfelt sadness for both 
the families and communities that are suffering as a result of the 
senseless shootings yesterday in Colorado.
  Every shooting, and every loss of an innocent life, is a terrible 
blow. But, shootings at schools or churches hit an especially weak spot 
in our public armor. They hurt our Nation in a deeper and more profound 
way and we mourn for the families and communities of those who have 
been affected by the tragedies this weekend.
  The first attack on Sunday occurred at 12:30 a.m. and left two 
victims dead and two other wounded at the Youth with a Mission center 
in metro Denver. The second, 12 hours later in Colorado Springs, left 
two dead and three others wounded.
  The two killed at the Youth with a Mission center were a young woman 
from Minnesota and a young man from Alaska. They were at the center to 
learn how to better spread the message of their faith. The two wounded 
at the center are in the hospital, one in critical condition and one in 
fair condition. The two victims who lost their lives at the New Life 
Church were teenage sisters, shot in the parking lot as they left a 
worship service. Three others, including the father of the two teenage 
victims, were also wounded at the church and are recovering from 
injuries.
  There were 7,000 people at the New Life Church yesterday when the 
shooting took place. A volunteer security guard stopped this murderer 
just inside the building, saving an unknown--but certainly large number 
of those from being attacked as well. The name and background of the 
security guard who stopped the gunman are still being withheld, but she 
bravely acted on her instincts and training. With quick and decisive 
action, she returned fire with the gunman, fatally wounding him. This 
real-life hero has been widely credited today for saving hundreds of 
lives inside the church. I join with the people of Colorado in praising 
her actions.
  Mr. President, I hope we can find the time to consider the church 
members lost in Colorado yesterday, the heartache of those left behind, 
and the valiant action of those who stopped the tragedy from spreading 
and helped those in need.

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