[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3161-3162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 SOMBER ANNIVERSARY OF ALABAMA TRAGEDY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bright) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago yesterday, a terrible tragedy 
occurred in south Alabama. On March 10, 2009, a lone gunman went on a 
murderous rampage through Coffee and Geneva Counties, leaving 10 people 
dead and

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several wounded in Kinston, Samson, and Geneva, Alabama. It was truly 
one of the worst acts of violence our part of the country has ever 
seen.
  We can never fully understand what would drive someone to commit such 
a monstrous act, especially against his own family and a helpless 
child. Be it personal, economic, or mental problems that led to such 
cruelty, it is unimaginable that something like this could happen until 
it strikes your friends and neighbors.
  Even though the tragedy was a devastating shock to our small and 
close-knit community, it also showed the resolve of those who help 
protect and defend our way of life. We all owe a debt of gratitude to 
the first responders--the Alabama State Troopers of the Dothan Troopers 
Post, officers of the Geneva Police Department, officers of the Geneva 
County Sheriff's Department, and an officer of the Alabama Conservation 
and Natural Resources Department who pursued and eventually found the 
gunman dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Without their swift 
action and response, the loss of life could have been even worse. A 
year's time of reflection has only made their brave efforts more worthy 
of our respect and praise.
  Another group that must be recognized are the soldiers of nearby Fort 
Rucker, Alabama. Since World War II, Fort Rucker has been an invaluable 
part of the Wiregrass area. They were quick to answer the call of local 
officials still reeling from the shock to serve their communities and 
keep the peace. We are proud of Fort Rucker's presence in the Second 
District of Alabama and are very appreciative of everything they do.
  I would also like to thank my colleagues in the House, especially the 
58 cosponsors of the resolution expressing sympathy to the victims of 
that terrible day, for showing their steadfast support. Though nothing 
could replace those who are lost, I know the folks in Geneva and Coffee 
Counties certainly appreciate that Congress was thinking of them during 
their time of mourning.
  I encourage those watching across the country to remember the wounded 
as we pray for their continued recovery--State Trooper Mike Gillis, 
Greg McCullough, Ella Meyers, and Jeffrey Nelson--and to join me in 
praying for the departed victims and their families, Bruce Maloy, Lisa 
McClendon, Andrea Myers, Corrine Gracy Myers, Sonya Smith, James 
Starling, James White, Virginia White, Dean Wise and Tracy Wise. Even 
though those 10 souls are no longer with us, I know we will never 
forget them and will do all that we can to honor their memories.
  As elected officials, we never want to come to the House floor for 
these purposes. In many ways, however, it is one of the most important 
duties we have as Members of Congress to honor and call the attention 
of the Nation to those in our districts who have experienced great loss 
and committed brave acts in the most difficult times. I hope for all of 
us that these appearances are few and far between.
  May our thoughts and prayers be with the citizens of Geneva and 
Coffee Counties as they remember the tragic event that happened in 
their community 1 year ago today.

                          ____________________