Recognizing Heroes and Victims in Collierville

Floor Speech

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Mr. KUSTOFF. Madam Speaker, last week, our community in Collierville, Tennessee, experienced a horrific tragedy.

On Thursday, September 23, last week, a gunman opened fire at the Kroger on Byhalia Road. Fifteen people were shot, and one woman, Olivia King, a mother and grandmother, died as a result of her injuries in the hospital later that day.

Roberta and I are praying for Olivia King's children, her family, and her friends at this difficult time.

As Collierville Alderman Maureen Fraser said: ``Everybody needs to be more like Olivia King. She was very kind, very generous, very Christian, and a rule-follower.''

Our hearts go out to all the victims, their loved ones, and everyone in the entire community who has been impacted.

I want to quote Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane, who said that Collierville is ``one of the most resilient communities in America.'' I believe that this is an absolutely true statement.

On that tragic day, we witnessed our brave heroes--law enforcement officers, Federal agents, firefighters, EMTs, doctors, nurses, and other local officials--spring into action. Not a single person hesitated to act or tend to a person in need.

Their training and selfless actions helped save people's lives that day. There is no doubt about it. I cannot thank enough everyone for their incredible bravery and courage that day.

The collaboration and cooperation between all the law enforcement agencies and all the first responders was tremendous. These agencies included: the Collierville Police Department; the Collierville Fire Department; the Shelby County Sheriff's Office; the Germantown Police Department; the Germantown Fire Department; the Memphis Police Department; the Memphis Fire Department; the Bartlett Fire Department; the Bartlett Police Department; the Fayette County Sheriff's Office; the DeSoto County, Mississippi, Sheriff's Office; the Tennessee Highway Patrol; the FBI; and other Federal law enforcement agencies. They worked flawlessly together to address and handle the situation in a timely and professional manner.

I also commend Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane's strong and effective leadership, and I thank his entire staff for their heroism. Special commendation also goes to Collierville Fire Chief Buddy Billings and his men and women for their swift action that prevented the additional loss of life.

Further, I want to recognize all the first responders, the doctors, the surgeons, the nurses, and their staff for delivering the necessary and immediate care to these victims.

Lastly, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner, Town Administrator James Lewellen, and Collierville Municipal School Board Chairman Wright Cox for their continued and strong leadership.

Mayor Joyner issued a proclamation declaring tomorrow, September 30, 2021, at 1:30 p.m., as a day of prayer and meditation for the town of Collierville and her victims.

The people of Collierville are strong and resilient. They will always remain Collierville Strong.

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