Washington, D.C.--The following is a statement given by Congressman Eliot Engel, on the Floor of the House of Representatives, last week praising the recent actions taken by South Orangetown Schools Superintendent Ken Mitchell against an armed intruder to the South Orangetown Middle School. The video clip can be seen here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSUnm-GqF-Q&feature=channel_page

“I rise today to commend South Orangetown Schools Superintendent Ken Mitchell for his quick reactions and his bravery as he single-handedly prevented what could have been a terrible tragedy in South Orangetown Middle School.

According to reports, a man came into the school, stormed past security and demanded at gunpoint that Mr. Mitchell make changes to a letter on swine flu. He certainly picked the wrong person to threaten when he took on Mr. Mitchell – a former hockey player and coach. The 55-year-old superintendent was able to tackle him, and disarm him before police were able to break into the locked office to apprehend the suspect. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

Why someone would enter a school with a gun is something I will never understand. It is disturbing to even fathom what could lead someone to choose to do that. However, it is heartening to realize that someone like Ken Mitchell is standing in their way.

The dedication shown by Mr. Mitchell to the children should be an example to all. Our nation has witnessed too many deaths of our children in their schools. The people of the South Orangetown School system and the community as a whole owe him a huge debt of gratitude.

Hero is an overused word in today’s world, but I can think of fewer situations which more warrant that word than protecting children in their classrooms. Ken Mitchell is truly a hero.”