Recognizing Richard Fierro

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Richard Fierro, a survivor of the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs, CO, who chose to risk his life to save others, in the face of unspeakable violence.

On the evening of November 19, 2022, Richard and his family were enjoying a drag show at Club Q--a nightclub that has long been a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. In the blink of an eye, an enjoyable night turned deadly.

After spending 15 years as an officer in the U.S. Army, with combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, Richard's actions were instinctual. Except this wasn't a warzone--this was a night out with his family at a bar in his own backyard. As gunfire rang out around him, people screamed, and glass shattered, Richard's Army training kicked in. He ran toward the shooter--tackling and subduing him.

Not only did he subdue the gunman, but he also took charge and gave orders to those around him--attempting to establish some semblance of order amid the chaos. He placed tourniquets on his friends and reassured them they would be okay while he yelled to police that the shooter was down. There is no doubt in my mind that Richard's heroic actions saved countless lives.

Here in Colorado, we are all too familiar with gun violence and the devastating impact it continues to have on our communities. We should not still be in mourning when the next mass shooting occurs. We should not have to live in fear every time we step outside our homes. Yet time and time again, we are forced to rely on the bravery of unsuspecting patrons in clubs, restaurants, grocery stores, and dance studios to disarm shooters in this country.

We continue to mourn the lives lost at Club Q: Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, Derrick Rump, and Raymond Green Vance--the boyfriend of Richard's daughter. Any loss of life like this is senseless and heartbreaking, but in the face of tragedy and unspeakable darkness, there are always heroes who rise up and answer the call to service. It is an honor to recognize Richard's heroic actions at Club Q.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source