February 25, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 34 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H2087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING THE AURORA VICTIMS

  (Ms. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, 10 days ago, five people, four of whom 
were my constituents, left their homes for work at the Henry Pratt 
Company in Aurora, Illinois, and never returned. Their lives were taken 
by an unspeakably horrible act, gun violence, which happens 
heartbreakingly frequently in this country.
  As we consider legislation this week that is a critical first step 
towards preventing gun violence, I would like to take a few moments to 
honor the lives our community lost this month.
  I wish to remember Russell Beyer. Proud chair of his union and a 20-
year employee of Henry Pratt, Russell was the father of two and a 
steadfast Patriots fan.
  We remember Clayton Parks, a Northern Illinois University grad whose 
wife, Abby, describes as an incredible father to their young son, Axel.
  We remember Josh Pinkard. ``I want to shout from the rooftops about 
how amazing Josh was,'' his wife, Terra, wrote about a man who loved 
God, family, and college football.
  We remember Trevor Wehner, a college student at Northern Illinois 
University, killed on the very first day of his internship. He was 
described by a friend as someone who would go out of his way for 
others.
  We remember Vicente Juarez. The patriarch of a tight-knit family, 
Vicente was a caring husband, father, and grandfather to eight. His 
neighbors loved him for his efforts ridding the neighborhood of 
dandelions each summer.
  We will never forget our five neighbors, and we will never forget the 
bravery of law enforcement and first responders who rushed toward the 
violence and undoubtedly saved countless lives.
  May we honor them with our actions, and may our community come back 
stronger than ever before.

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