Offering Heartfelt Condolences to the Victims and Their Families Regarding the Horrific Violence at Virginia Tecn and to Students, Facutly,...

Floor Speech

OFFERING HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES REGARDING THE HORRIFIC VIOLENCE AT VIRGINIA TECH AND TO STUDENTS, FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED

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Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that Congress today recognizes the tragedy that indeed struck our country when it befell the community of Virginia Tech on Monday. We offer our condolences to the many who now grieve. I want to particularly extend my condolences to our colleagues here for the sorrow that has taken place in their State.

But the sorrow of parents who lost their children, students who lost their friends, and a community which lost 33 of its own is beyond any comfort we can give in words. Words are totally inadequate. In the days that follow, the mourning and questioning that has already begun will continue. And as it does, the thoughts and prayers of this Congress and, indeed, this Nation, will remain with the students of Virginia Tech and their families.

Among the victims there was a student resident adviser known affectionately as ``Stack,'' a young woman whose love for horses led her to study veterinary science; one of the world's great researchers on cerebral palsy; and a Holocaust survivor who became an expert on aeronautics.

These victims, of different backgrounds and different ages, are united in their love of one of America's great learning institutions, Virginia Tech. And today and in the days to come, as we grieve their loss, we are all Hokies.

When Robert Kennedy announced to the people of Indianapolis the news of the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, he offered comfort with the words of an ancient Greek playwright, Aeschylus, when he said, ``Today, when no words can describe our sadness, or heal our grief, these words again give our Nation hope. In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.''

Today, on behalf of the students, faculty, staff and families of Virginia Tech, we pray for that wisdom.

I hope that it is a comfort to all who are grieving today that so many people in our country, indeed, in the world, mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.

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