Robin Carnahan: “I rise tonight on a sad occasion in the loss of loved ones in the Kirkwood, Missouri, community, part of which I…”

“I rise tonight on a sad occasion in the loss of loved ones in the Kirkwood, Missouri, community, part of which I represent and part of which is represented by my colleague Representative Akin of St. Louis County, and tonight we want to talk about that incident. This close-knit community of Kirkwood, Missouri, struggles this week over the loss of loved ones. The wounded, especially Mayor Mike Swoboda, who remains hospitalized, and the chill to public servants and citizens from the violence in Kirkwood City Hall at the level of democratic government closest to the people. I saw firsthand last Friday night at the Kirkwood community's candlelight vigil the way this community has come together through this tragedy, uplifted by ordinary people performing extraordinary acts of heroism, caring, and love. The hearts and prayers of all Missouri and the Nation go out to the families now grieving. First, our obligation is to care for the wounded and honor the lost, who were lost while on duty in the high calling of public service. We lost two city council members, Councilwoman Connie Karr and Councilman Michael Lynch; two police officers, Officer Tom Ballman and Officer William Biggs; and Public Works Director Kenneth Yost. We search our hearts and minds to understand what went wrong that terrible day this past week, to honor their public service, and to learn from this breakdown in the public square.”