[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8817]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRAGEDY AT VIRGINIA TECH

  Mr. REID. Madam President, as mentioned in the prayer by Admiral 
Black, today America suffered a tragedy that defies our ability to 
comprehend. The news out of Virginia Tech and Blacksburg is still 
breaking. We don't know yet all the facts except there are 22 dead, at 
least 28 wounded. But what we do know breaks our hearts and shakes us 
to our very core. For now, we can only offer our thoughts and our 
prayers in our individual ways.
  One of my good friends is the athletic director of Virginia Tech. He 
formerly was the athletic director at UNLV--Jim Weaver, a wonderful 
man. He has done such a great job with that program. The Virginia Tech 
program has received such notoriety--positive in recent years because 
of their athletic program. They also have a great academic program.
  We all pray for the students, faculty members, and the families of 
the Virginia Tech community and do hope for a speedy recovery of the 
wounded.
  We pray that America can find the strength, which we will find, to 
overcome our grief and outrage as we face yet another tragedy.
  I think it would be appropriate, Madam President, if the 
distinguished Republican leader wishes to say something about this 
tragedy, that after he does, I ask for a moment of silence for the 
faculty, the students, the administration, and everyone in Virginia 
Tech--and our country, really. A moment of silence.
  Does the Senator wish to speak?

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