[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18595]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  REMEMBERING NOHEMI GONZALEZ AND THE VICTIMS OF THE PARIS TERRORIST 
                                ATTACKS

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Nohemi Gonzalez, a 23-
year-old senior at California State University, Long Beach who was 
tragically killed during the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.
  Nohemi grew up in Whittier, CA with her mother, Beatriz, who 
described her as ``very strong and independent,'' even graduating high 
school early because she couldn't wait to go to college. At Cal State, 
she chose to study industrial design--recently taking home a second 
place prize in an international design competition. She was thrilled to 
be achieving one of her dreams of studying at the Strate School of 
Design in Paris this semester.
  Nohemi's professors laud her as a very gifted student--curious, 
determined, and incredibly caring. She took on a leadership role as a 
teacher's aide and shop technician for the department of design. 
Classmates remember Nohemi as a mentor and tutor, someone who 
encouraged everyone around her to strive to be the best versions of 
themselves. Friends say she was a blessing and always had an upbeat, 
cheerful attitude. She always looked on the bright side.
  I want to send my deepest, heartfelt condolences to Nohemi's mother, 
Beatriz, her stepfather, Jose Hernandez, and to all who loved her. 
While there are no words to express how sorry I am at this tragic loss, 
I hope they can take comfort knowing that Nohemi's beautiful legacy 
will serve as an inspiration for us all.
  I also want to send my thoughts and prayers to the members of the 
Palm Desert-based band, Eagles of Death Metal, who were playing at the 
Bataclan concert hall the night of the attacks. As they grieve the 
death of their British merchandise manager, Nick Alexander, and 
representatives from their record company, Thomas Ayad, Marie Mosser, 
and Manu Perez, I know there has been an outpouring of love and 
strength from the caring Desert community. I hope that brings them some 
comfort in this very difficult time.
  The people of France have suffered tremendously, and I want them to 
know that Americans mourn with them. They stood by our sides after the 
attacks on September 11, 2001, and we stand with them now in the face 
of these horrific attacks.

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