Johnny Isakson: “today I express my sympathy and I know the sympathy of all of the Members of the Senate and the people of the United…”

“today I express my sympathy and I know the sympathy of all of the Members of the Senate and the people of the United States of America on the tragic losses this week at Virginia Tech. None of us can understand what happened in Blacksburg, VA, but all of us recognize the profound tragedy and the loss of youth in its prime. I learned this week that one of those losses was a Georgian by the name of Christopher James ``Jamie'' Bishop, and I, from the floor of the Senate, send to Pine Mountain, GA, my sympathy on the tragic loss of Jamie. Jamie, who was passionate about his art and an avid amateur photographer, grew up in Pine Mountain, GA, and was valedictorian of Harris County High School. He received his bachelor's degree in German from my alma mater, the University of Georgia, and was a Fulbright scholar at Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel, Germany. He returned to the University of Georgia to earn his master's degree in German linguistics. Jamie, who was known for wearing his hair in a ponytail, had been a German instructor at Virginia Tech since 2005. His wife, Stefanie Hofer, is an assistant professor of German there. By all accounts, Jamie was an intelligent, clever and passionate individual. I am very proud as a Georgian to have known of his accomplishments, and I send his wife Stefanie and his parents Michael and Jeri my prayers and my hopes that they will accept our sympathy as they endure the heartbreak of the loss of Jamie.”