Durbin, Obama and Senate Express Condolences For Those Affected by NIU Shooting
Monday, February 25, 2008
Printable FormatFor Immediate Release
Contact: Christina Mulka (Durbin) or Michael Ortiz (Obama)
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today announced the passage of a resolution expressing the condolences of the Senate to all those affected by the devastating shooting at Northern Illinois University (NIU). On February 14, a former student entered a geology class and fatally shot five students and himself and wounded 17 others on the NIU campus.
"We stand in solidarity with Northern Illinois University and its students, faculty, staff and administration, as they mourn their losses and as they recover from this tragic incident," said Durbin. "In the days and weeks to come, the victims and their families will be in our thoughts and prayers. This tragedy at NIU is a terrible reminder that we in Congress need to do all we can to make schools a safe place."
"We will never forget the victims of this terrible tragedy at Northern Illinois University," said Obama. "These heartbreaking, mindless acts of violence must stop, and we must do everything we can to eradicate violence from our streets, schools, neighborhoods, and cities. It is our duty as a Congress and Americans to ensure our nation's campuses have the resources they need to respond to any threat they may face."
Durbin, Obama and the Senate commended the efforts of the emergency responders, law enforcement officers, healthcare providers and counselors who performed their duties with professionalism and dedication in response to the tragedy. In light of the events at NIU, the Senate today reaffirmed its commitment to helping ensure that schools, colleges and universities in the United States are safe and secure environments for learning.