[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9904]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE FIRST RESPONDERS OF THE JUNE 14, 2017 SHOOTING AT EUGENE 
                              SIMPSON PARK

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2017

  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the City of 
Alexandria's First Responders on the scene of the shooting at Eugene 
Simpson Memorial Park in my district in Alexandria, Virginia.
  On Wednesday, June 14, 2017 around 7:00 a.m., an individual at Eugene 
Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia fired shots at Members of 
Congress who were practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball 
Game. The shooting wounded United States Representative Steve Scalise, 
Capitol Police Officers David Bailey and Crystal Griner, Congressional 
staffer Zack Barth, and former Congressional staffer Matt Mika.
  The timely response of Alexandria's First Responders most certainly 
saved lives. Alexandria Police Officers Nicole Battaglia, Alexander 
Jensen and Kevin Jobe arrived within minutes of the 911 call. Officer 
Battaglia came under fire upon arriving at the scene and immediately 
engaged the shooter. In the opinion of Alexandria Police Chief Mike 
Brown, Officer Battaglia's actions diverted the shooter's attention, 
allowing the other responding officers to neutralize the shooter. 
Medical care provided at the scene by members of the Alexandria Fire 
Department, including paramedics Fiona Apple and Richard Krimmer, 
ensured this senseless act of violence did not become a casualty event.
  I am honored to commend these valiant individuals for their selfless 
service; I thank them not only for their impact on the victims of this 
senseless act of violence, but for their daily positive impact in my 
district.

                          ____________________