Title: A resolution expressing the condolences of the Senate and honoring the memory of the victims of the shooting at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, on November 19, 2018.
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
Expresses condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of Officer Samuel Jimenez, Dr. Tamara O'Neal, and Dayna Less, who were the victims of the shooting on November 19, 2018, at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Honors the lives and memory of the victims, with gratitude for the service the victims provided as members of the law enforcement and medical communities.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 720 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 720

Expressing the condolences of the Senate and honoring the memory of the 
    victims of the shooting at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in 
                Chicago, Illinois, on November 19, 2018.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 11, 2018

  Mr. Durbin (for himself and Ms. Duckworth) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the condolences of the Senate and honoring the memory of the 
    victims of the shooting at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in 
                Chicago, Illinois, on November 19, 2018.

Whereas on November 19, 2018, a gunman opened fire in the parking lot and lobby 
        of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois;
Whereas the gunman took the lives of 3 individuals who had dedicated themselves 
        to serving others as members of the law enforcement and medical 
        communities;
Whereas Chicago Police Officer Samuel Jimenez, age 28, of the Second Police 
        District, responded to the emergency call with bravery and made the 
        ultimate sacrifice in an effort to protect the lives of others;
Whereas Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said that--

    (1) Officer Jimenez and the other officers who responded to the 
shooting ``did what heroic officers always do--they ran toward the 
gunfire''; and

    (2) the actions of Officer Jimenez and the other officers who responded 
to the shooting ``saved a lot of lives'';

Whereas Officer Jimenez was--

    (1) a dedicated law enforcement officer;

    (2) a loving husband; and

    (3) a loving father of 3 young children;

Whereas Officer Jimenez was the second police officer of the Chicago Police 
        Department to be fatally shot in the line of duty in 2018, after 
        Commander Paul R. Bauer, the commander of the 18th Police District, was 
        fatally shot while attempting to apprehend an armed suspect on February 
        13;
Whereas Dr. Tamara O'Neal, age 38, a physician at Mercy Hospital and Medical 
        Center, was fatally shot by the gunman in the hospital parking lot;
Whereas Dr. O'Neal, a graduate of the University of Illinois College of 
        Medicine, had worked in the emergency department at Mercy Hospital and 
        Medical Center treating others and was devoted to her church and to 
        charitable causes;
Whereas Dr. O'Neal was described by the director of the emergency department at 
        Mercy Hospital and Medical Center as a ``wonderful individual'' who was 
        ``dedicated to caring for her community'';
Whereas Dayna Less, age 24, a pharmacist at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, 
        was fatally shot by the gunman;
Whereas Ms. Less, a graduate of Purdue University, had overcome health 
        challenges as a youth and had decided to become a pharmacist to help 
        serve the health needs of others;
Whereas Ms. Less, who was engaged to be married to her childhood sweetheart, was 
        described by her father as ``the strongest person I know'';
Whereas the city of Chicago suffers from our nation's epidemic of gun violence, 
        with nearly 2,700 people killed or injured by gunfire in Chicago in 
        2018;
Whereas the medical community in the United States works tirelessly every day to 
        provide professional and dedicated care to individuals affected by gun 
        violence across the nation;
Whereas the law enforcement community in the United States works tirelessly 
        every day to respond to incidents of gun violence and protect others 
        from harm at the risk of their own safety; and
Whereas the nation owes a debt of gratitude to members of the law enforcement 
        and medical communities in Chicago and across the United States for the 
        service they provide in helping others, including in the response to the 
        shooting at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center on November 19, 2018: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses sincere condolences to the families, friends, 
        and loved ones of Officer Samuel Jimenez, Dr. Tamara O'Neal, 
        and Dayna Less, the victims of the tragic shooting on November 
        19, 2018, at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, 
        Illinois;
            (2) honors the lives and memory of the victims, with 
        gratitude for the service the victims provided as members of 
        the law enforcement and medical communities;
            (3) extends support to the individuals subjected to the 
        trauma of the shooting;
            (4) thanks the law enforcement officers, medical personnel, 
        emergency responders, and Mercy Hospital and Medical Center 
        workers who responded to the shooting with professionalism, 
        dedication, and bravery; and
            (5) stands in solidarity with the victims of senseless gun 
        violence in Chicago and in communities across the United 
        States.
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