[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14560-14561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 REMEMBERING MARYLAND NAVY YARD VICTIMS

  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, the fatal shooting at the Washington 
Navy Yard last week is a senseless tragedy. I mourn the loss of life 
and offer my prayers to all who have been affected by this heinous act, 
especially the families of the victims. Our Navy and their civilian 
colleagues work day and night to protect the American public. An attack 
on the people tasked with keeping this Nation safe is unacceptable. I 
thank our Federal, State and local first responders and law enforcement 
for swiftly and dutifully responding to this appalling attack despite 
the personal dangers. I thank our dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff 
at the MedStar trauma center who helped care for the injured that day.
  Today I want to remember the six Marylanders who died in this 
terrible tragedy, and to express my condolences to their family and 
friends.
  Sylvia Frasier was 53 years old and lived in Waldorf, MD, in Charles 
County. She was a computer expert and served as the enterprise 
information assurance manager at Naval Sea Systems Command. And she 
worked a second job as well, working several evenings a week as a 
customer service manager at the Wal-Mart in Waldorf. The assistant 
manager at the store said she often gave co-workers rides home, and he 
once asked her, ``How come you work a second job?'' She just said, `I 
love it. I like working with people.''' Her co-worker said that Sylvia 
could talk to customers and turn negatives into positives, and that 
they will miss seeing her smile and gold-colored hair at the store. She 
leaves behind her two parents and six siblings.

[[Page 14561]]

  John Roger Johnson was 73 years old and lived in Derwood, MD, in 
Montgomery County. He was a civilian contractor and performed 
environmental assessments of systems used to locate mines. He also 
provided support to the NAVSEA's Command Information Officer. He often 
greeted colleagues with a ``How ya doin', buddy?'' He leaves behind a 
wife and four daughters, and his 11th grandchild is due in November.
  Frank Kohler was 50 years old and lived in Tall Timbers, MD, in St. 
Mary's County. He was a computer systems specialist. Frank had been the 
president of the Rotary Club. He had earned the nickname of ``King 
Oyster'' for his service, and received a crown and robe, leading the 
national oyster shucking competition. He leaves behind a wife and two 
daughters.
  Vishnu Pandit was 61 years old and lived in North Potomac, MD, in 
Montgomery County. He was born in Bombay, India, and moved to the 
United States in his early 20's. His family said in a statement that 
``He took great pride in being employed by the United States Navy, 
which he very proudly served in various capacities as a civilian for 
over 25 years. He felt extremely privileged to have contributed to the 
superiority of the U.S. Navy and the country that he served.'' He 
leaves behind a wife and two sons.
  Kenneth Bernard Proctor was 46 years old and lived in Waldorf, MD, in 
Charles County. He worked as a civilian utilities foreman, and had 
worked for the Federal Government for over two decades. His oldest son 
recently enlisted in the Army. He leaves behind his ex-wife and two 
sons.
  Richard Michael Ridgell was 52 years old and lived in Westminster, 
MD, in Carroll County. He was a Maryland State Police Trooper for 
nearly two decades, and spent 3 years working in Iraq, helping train 
civilian in local policing. He was known to text his children several 
times a day to check up on them and tell them he loved them, and 
coached his daughters' softball teams. He was an avid photographer and 
loved taking pictures of his family. He leaves behind his wife and 
three daughters.
  Mr. President, the tragedy of every recent mass shooting in America 
has underscored the importance of Congress passing sensible, Federal 
gun safety legislation. We know that we won't be able to stop every 
tragedy, but we absolutely can save lives. Earlier this year, some 4 
months after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, there was a glimmer 
of hope that the Senate was finally working together on a bipartisan 
basis to pass reasonable background checks for all gun purchases. This 
effort was fleeting, but it must be revived.
  We must use common sense and act responsibly. I am sympathetic to the 
interests of legitimate hunters and collectors, but we should follow 
the lead of states like Maryland and reinstate the Federal ban on 
assault weapons and prohibit high-capacity ammunition clips. We should 
enact universal background checks. We must take steps to strengthen our 
mental health system so that individuals who need help with mental 
illness can get appropriate help and not have access to hand guns or 
other weapons. I know that we can protect our communities while still 
protecting the Constitutional rights of legitimate hunters and existing 
gun owners.

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