[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13598]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          NAVY YARD SHOOTINGS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I have a few observations about the 
events of the day.
  We are all thinking about today's tragic shootings at the Navy Yard, 
about the victims and their families. The men and women of the military 
courageously put their lives on the line in many dangerous places 
around the world. It is painful for all of us to think about and having 
to worry about their safety when they come home too.
  Many people in the area, and across the country, will be directly 
affected by this terrible tragedy and we pray for them all. These kinds 
of incidents always remind us how fragile life is. They also remind 
those of us who work in and around the Capitol how much we all owe to 
the men and women who work so hard to keep us safe every day.
  I wish to take this opportunity to thank Terry Gainer and his team, 
Chief Dine, and the entire Capitol Police force for all they do day in 
and day out, and for everyone else who is working through this tragedy, 
including the first responders, the medical personnel, and DC police. I 
want them all to know one thing: We are all thankful for your hard work 
and your sacrifice. Everyone is deeply grateful, especially on days 
such as this.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I appreciate very much my friend's 
statement. Earlier this morning I had in my office a Capitol Police 
officer. I said, what is the number on your badge? I don't remember 
exactly--3600 and something. I said, look at my cabinet there, look at 
my badge. Mine was 363.
  So Senator McConnell is absolutely right, we take for granted the 
work these men and women do for us here. It is significant. They do 
everything they can to protect us and all of the thousands of people 
who work in this Capitol complex.

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