September 9, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 143 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H7548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY THAT OCCURRED 
                        AUGUST 4 IN DAYTON, OHIO

  (Mr. TURNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, on August 4, a mass murderer opened fire 
on innocent civilians in Dayton, Ohio's historic Oregon District. 
Hundreds of people were present in the street, restaurants, and bars in 
this two-block area that is less than 5 minutes from my home.
  The killer wore body armor and a mask and carried over 200 bullets. 
Armed with a reconfigured weapon, he fired almost 50 bullets in 32 
seconds. In that time, he killed nine people and wounded 27.
  Later, we heard a familiar story. People who knew him had feared that 
this man was a danger. He had told people that he wanted to be a mass 
shooter. However, he passed a background check in the purchase of his 
weapon.
  My daughter told me of the courage of the police officers at the 
scene. She heard the first shots, turned and looked, and watched the 
officers, unflinching, run immediately toward the gunshots. Within 32 
seconds of the shooter opening fire, Dayton Police took down the 
shooter.
  Let me be clear: The officers didn't receive the call in 32 seconds. 
The officers didn't show up in 32 seconds. They killed him in 32 
seconds.
  Even with the Dayton Police officers' incredible heroism, nine 
innocent civilians were killed, and 27 were wounded by the shooter's 
gunfire. He was armed with a magazine of 100 bullets and had another 
magazine with him. If he had not been stopped, the death toll could 
have been unimaginable.
  When the President came to Dayton, he congratulated the police 
officers on their training. Sergeant Knight responded, ``Sir, you can't 
train courage.''
  Today, Sergeant Knight and these courageous Dayton officers received 
the Medal of Valor at the White House: Officer Jeremy Campbell, Officer 
Vincent Carter, Officer David Denlinger, Officer Ryan Nabel, and 
Officer Brian Rolfes.
  Their bravery and quick action saved hundreds of people's lives, 
including my own daughter. They are here with us today and joined by 
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. Please join me in thanking them.
  Now, Madam Speaker, we need to show the courage of these police 
officers. Let's work together to pass bipartisan bills that actually 
have a likelihood of becoming law and that will make our country safer.
  The forthcoming debate will be about our values, American values and 
human values. How could we get to a place where people are routinely 
killing innocent people whom they do not know?
  The debate must also be about mental health, how to identify those 
who are a threat, remove their ability to do harm, and get help for 
those who need it. This debate will be about violence in our culture 
and the virtual world that so many of these killers have spent 
countless hours training in. The American public rightfully demands 
that this debate will include a conversation about guns.
  As we pause for a moment of silence to think of those who were lost 
in Dayton, Ohio, let's think of all of those who have been lost in mass 
shootings, their families, and our obligations to them.
  I am going to ask that our moment of silence lasts for 32 seconds so 
that as this body thinks of those whom we have lost, the horrific 
understanding of how quickly the passing of 32 seconds occurs and that, 
within that time, nine people were murdered, and 27 people were 
injured.
  My fellow colleague from Ohio, Joyce Beatty, knows the family of one 
of the victims. I have asked her to read the names of each of those 
killed before I ask Members to join me in 32 seconds of silence in 
honor of them.
  Mrs. BEATTY. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. TURNER. I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio.
  Mrs. BEATTY. Madam Speaker, I thank the officers and Mayor Whalen.
  Megan Betts;
  Monica Brickhouse;
  Nicholas Cumer;
  Derrick Fudge;
  Thomas McNichols;
  Lois Oglesby;
  Saeed Saleh;
  Logan Turner;
  Beatrice Warren-Curtis.
  Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, I now ask that Members and guests in the 
House rise for 32 seconds of silence.

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