[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 1990-1991]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE SHOOTING AT KIRKWOOD CITY 
                                  HALL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Carnahan) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight on a sad occasion in the 
loss of loved ones in the Kirkwood, Missouri, community, part of which 
I represent and part of which is represented by my colleague 
Representative Akin of St. Louis County, and tonight we want to talk 
about that incident.
  This close-knit community of Kirkwood, Missouri, struggles this week 
over the loss of loved ones. The wounded, especially Mayor Mike 
Swoboda, who remains hospitalized, and the chill to public servants and 
citizens from the violence in Kirkwood City Hall at the level of 
democratic government closest to the people.
  I saw firsthand last Friday night at the Kirkwood community's 
candlelight vigil the way this community has come together through this 
tragedy, uplifted by ordinary people performing extraordinary acts of 
heroism, caring, and love. The hearts and prayers of all Missouri and 
the Nation go out to the families now grieving.
  First, our obligation is to care for the wounded and honor the lost, 
who were lost while on duty in the high calling of public service. We 
lost two city council members, Councilwoman Connie Karr and Councilman 
Michael Lynch; two police officers, Officer Tom Ballman and Officer 
William Biggs; and Public Works Director Kenneth Yost.
  We search our hearts and minds to understand what went wrong that 
terrible day this past week, to honor their public service, and to 
learn from this breakdown in the public square. Rightly, we come 
together to let them know they are not alone in their suffering. We 
know each and every one of them found purpose in life helping others 
and as public servants in the public good. One person, Dick Reeves, 
posted a comment on the St. Louis Post Dispatch site that impressed me 
and it summed up how to deal with this tragedy. He said, ``If something 
positive comes out of this horrific tragedy, please let it be that in 
the memory of these good people, each and every one of us dedicates 
ourselves to treating our elected officials and each other at home, 
work, school, play, and while driving with respect, decency, and 
kindness. We can do it. Let our actions be their monument.''
  And I would like to yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Akin).
  Mr. AKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great tragedy 
that occurred in Kirkwood, Missouri, in my district this last Thursday. 
On what seemed to be a typical night in what has long been considered 
an almost idyllic community, Charles Lee Thornton shot and killed 
Police Sergeant William Biggs outside of the Kirkwood City Hall.
  After entering City Hall, Mr. Thornton then shot and killed four 
dedicated civil servants and severely wounded the mayor before he 
himself was shot and killed by responding Kirkwood police officers.
  Today, Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda continues to struggle for his 
life.
  Those killed in the City Hall were Police Officer Tom Ballman, 
Councilwoman Connie Karr, Councilman Mike Lynch, and Public Works 
Director Kenneth Yost. Kenneth Yost had served in that position for 35 
years.

[[Page 1991]]

  As Kirkwood and surrounding communities lay to rest officers and 
public servants, one cannot help but be moved by the deep sense of 
faith expressed by the family and friends they have left behind. What 
has also become so clear is the deep commitment that these individuals 
had for their community.
  With that service in mind, I would like to refer to Matthew 20:28, 
which states: ``Among you, whoever wants to be great must be your 
servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the willing servant of 
all, like the Son of Man; He did not come to be served but to serve and 
to give up his life as a ransom for many.''

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