Remembering the life of Corey Comperatore who passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the subject of this Special Order.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the life of a true hero, Corey Comperatore, who was tragically killed shielding his family from gunfire during former President Donald Trump's campaign rally in my hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13.

Many of us have come to know a little bit more about Corey over the last week. Tonight, over the next half hour, my colleagues and I will tell you more about Corey's story, who he was, his incredible life of service to his community and his country, and perhaps most importantly, his role as a father and loving husband.

I take this moment to offer our thoughts and prayers to the two Pennsylvanians who were injured during the shooting and continue to recover, Mr. David Dutch of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and, of course, to former President Donald Trump in his recovery. He showed incredible strength in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

Who was Corey Comperatore? He was a constituent of mine from Sarver, Pennsylvania. He was a proud 1992 graduate of Freeport High School. He went on to honor his country as a dedicated 10-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves.

Corey's passion for his community and his commitment to his strong Christian faith led him to serve as an active member at the Cabot Church. Those who know Corey say his faith was the foundation of his whole life. His obituary reads this way: ``He was a man of God who loved Jesus with every fiber of his being. His actions were guided by his unwavering belief, and he inspired those around him to live with purpose and grace. His ability to lift the spirits of everyone he encountered was truly unparalleled.''

Corey also believed in service to his community and to others. He spent much of his adult life as a member of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department in Butler County where he notably served as the chief in the early 2000s.

Above all, Corey was what his obituary calls ``the quintessential family man and the best girl dad.'' I have pictures of Corey with his wife, Helen, and also pictures of his daughters, which we will put up later, but they are always going to be part of his legacy.

Helen, his daughters, Allyson and Kaylee Comperatore, will carry on, and so will the small acts of kindness that marked his everyday life. He was quick to help those in need. He never expected anything in return. His impact on the lives he touched was profound.

Tragically, Corey's life was cut short at the age of 50. Tonight, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the Comperatore family, their friends, and Corey's family at Buffalo Township Fire Department. God bless you all.

Before I introduce my colleagues to speak about Corey tonight, I want to take a few moments to talk about the community where this tragic assassination attempt took place. It is in my hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania. This is an all-American town of about 13,000 people that has been thrust into the national spotlight over the last week.

I have lived in Butler County nearly my whole life. I went to high school there. My wife and I have raised our family there. I later had a great opportunity and privilege to coach little league baseball, pony league baseball, and midget football. My family business is here. It has been here since 1957. Now, I am fortunate enough to represent this town here in the United States House of Representatives.

Butler Farm Show is where this rally was located. It is usually a family-friendly place. It is just a few miles from my home, just a little over 4 miles, and I drive past it almost every single day.

Since 1947, this has been a place of common ground where families and children can show their farm animals and where people gather in the summer for food and fun. It is also a popular spot in the Butler community for so many events.

On this morning, I was there with members of the House Homeland Security Committee, and I thank Chairman Green for allowing me to be there with them.

I can tell you that my community is still grieving. They are shocked by what happened on what was supposed to be another peaceful, sunny day on these very grounds.

I was at the Butler Farm Show with President Trump, with Corey, with David, and with James on July 13. My wife, Victoria, was there with my son, George, and three of our grandchildren.

What happened that day is a day like nothing I have ever experienced before. I can also tell you this: The people of Butler and all of western Pennsylvania are incredibly resilient. We always have been and always will be that way.

Like so many small towns in America, we are there for each other when the times get tough, and we will get through this. Tonight as we have other colleagues speak, I think our commitment is the American people have the right to know what happened that day at the farm show grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania.

They have the right to know, and we have the responsibility to find out for them what happened that day, how this could take place on those grounds, how that could take place in the United States of America, and we will not stop until we get the answers.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser), my dear friend who was there that day with me.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Deluzio), Representative from Pittsburgh.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), the chairman of the Agriculture Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Cartwright).

Madam Speaker, I yield to another member of the Pennsylvania delegation, Dr. John Joyce.

Madam Speaker, I yield to another one of the Pennsylvanians with us tonight, my good friend, Mr. Scott Perry.

Madam Speaker, tonight we talked about the tragic loss of Corey Comperatore. What is more tragic or could have been more tragic, what if Corey Comperatore had never been born?

What if there never had been a Corey Comperatore? What if Helen had never had a husband like Corey Comperatore? His daughters would not have had a father. He was called a girl dad.

His entire life was built on his strong faith and in service to his community, his country, and foremost, his family.

In these times, when our country seems to be so torn apart on everything political, I think it is time for us to take a little more time to reflect on who we are as Americans. We are not Republicans, we are not Democrats, we are not Independents; we are Americans. At the very heart of what it is we are, we are Americans.

Mr. Comperatore is exactly the example of those who serve, those who put others above themselves, those who put themselves in harm's way to protect those who are in danger. We come here tonight, and we talk about Corey.

That Saturday was a Saturday that his family will never forget. As they made their way from their home to the Butler Farm Show grounds to hear former President Donald Trump at his rally, they were so excited to be there.

However, tragically, evil struck, and America was once again reminded that at the end of the day, we are all Americans. Yes, we represent different parties. Yes, we represent different peoples, but at the end of the day, we are Americans.

The example that Corey Comperatore puts forward is that of a strong, faithful American, a man of faith, a man who loved his country, a man who loved his community, but above all, a man who loved his wife and daughters.

How tragic it would have been if he had never been born. As we mourn his death, we also must celebrate his life. We must say a prayer because I know where he is now. I know where he rests. I know he is in the arms of God. As tragic as this has been for his family, I know his family knows the same thing.

I would hope that as we look into what happened, how this possibly could have happened, how in a little farm town in Pennsylvania evil could have prevailed, at least for a moment, but what has happened since then is our firm belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our belief that Corey is now safe at home and will be there when his wife and daughters make that same trip sometime in the future.

Madam Speaker, this is a country that has been torn apart for so long by parties that go at each other day in and day out. I would hope that at some point we sit and take a look at the fact that one and a half million men and women in uniform have given their lives to give us the opportunity to be here on this floor and debate policy, and what is in the best interests of the people who sent us here, and that is the American people. At some point, we have to believe the oath we have taken, and we have to fulfill that oath.

I hope that as we look at the tragic loss of Corey Comperatore, we also give thanks to God that he was born in the first place, that his wife and daughters had an opportunity to have a loving father and a loving husband, and that now he is safe and at home in the Lord's arms.

I thank my colleagues for being here tonight, and I know everything comes from the heart on this. When something like this happens, we need to take a step back, take a deep breath, say a prayer, and ask God to be with us as we make our journey as Representatives of the most incredible Nation the world has ever known, the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a resolution that we will be offering, and entering in now. It is H. Res. 1369.

Whereas Corey Comperatore was from Sarver, Pennsylvania,

leaving behind his wife, Helen, and two daughters, Allyson

and Kaylee;

Whereas Corey Comperatore was a respected community leader

who dedicated years of service to the Buffalo Township

Volunteer Fire Department of Sarver, Pennsylvania;

Whereas Corey Comperatore served his country as a veteran

of the United States Army Reserves;

Whereas Corey Comperatore left behind a legacy of service

for his country and his community, a devoted member of the

Cabot Methodist Church; and

Whereas Corey Comperatore died a hero, protecting his

family, shielding his wife and daughter from danger: Now,

therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) mourns the loss of Corey Comperatore, a husband,

father, volunteer firefighter, community leader, and hero

from Sarver, Pennsylvania;

(2) commemorates and celebrates the selfless and courageous

life of Corey Comperatore;

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise as well to express my deep sympathy, and yes, eulogize a great Pennsylvanian, Corey Comperatore. I too, with my colleague, Representative Kelly, attended the rally last Saturday. Of course, it started as any rally does. People were very enthused and looking forward to the remarks of former President Trump.

Madam Speaker, 7 or 8 minutes into the speech, the shots rang out, and many lives were changed forever. It was a tragic day that could have been worse, but for the Comperatore family, it was a tragedy that they will live with forever.

We are here this evening to honor the life, legacy, and ultimate sacrifice of Corey Comperatore. As was expressed, he was a quintessential family man, and as has been expressed, the best girl dad, as well as a dedicated public servant and true local hero.

As the Nation now knows, Corey's life was taken by the shooter, by the gunman, at the rally in Butler last Saturday. In his final moments, Corey gave his life while shielding his wife and daughter from the bullets as they rang out.

He exemplified unparalleled bravery, shielding his wife and daughter and protecting them in his last moments. His courageous act saved his loved ones from the gunfire and truly serves as a testament to his character and his dedication to others.

Corey Comperatore served his community with distinction for so many years, for decades, actually, particularly as a firefighter in Buffalo Township where he served as chief in the early 2000s.

In addition to his service as a firefighter, Corey was a 10-year veteran of the United States Army Reserves, demonstrating his commitment to our Nation and its values.

He will always be remembered by his family as a man whose life was guided by faith, saying Corey inspired those around him to live with purpose and grace. His passion for family, life, and service to others will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Butler, my colleague for hosting this Special Order this evening and for recognizing me.

Tonight, we recognize Corey Comperatore's heroic actions, and we pay tribute to his lasting legacy. For three decades, Corey served the community as a Buffalo Township Fire Department firefighter. He was a brother firefighter.

I had the privilege of just a few years ago sharing representation of Butler County with my good friend Mr. Kelly, and Buffalo Township was one of my municipalities that I served.

Corey eventually rose to the rank of chief of his station. He constantly put his life on the line to protect his neighbors, responding to emergencies with courage and skill and unwavering commitment to safety.

In the final moment of his life, his selfless courage was on full display. When gunshots were heard, he shielded the most precious people in his life: his wife and daughters.

Corey Comperatore is a hero whose inspiring bravery will be remembered. Corey was a local leader, active church member, veteran, former fire chief, and most importantly a beloved father and husband. Having formerly represented parts of Butler County, it has been inspiring to hear how well-respected Corey was throughout his hometown and his home county.

To Corey's family, we offer our deepest condolences. I cannot imagine the pain you are enduring, but please know you are not alone. Our Nation stands with you, united in our love and support, ready to offer comfort and strength during this challenging time.

As we navigate the difficult days ahead, let us draw strength from each other in Corey's memory. Let us remember the importance of holding our loved ones close, telling them that we care, we love them, and living our lives with the same compassion, bravery, and warmth that Corey exhibited.

Madam Speaker, I think what you will hear on this floor tonight is a unified voice that we reject political violence, that we mourn Mr. Comperatore's loss of life, that we wish a speedy recovery to the victims.

In this country, there ought to be no place for political violence. There ought to be no place for hate in the hearts of freedom-loving people, certainly not in western Pennsylvania, where we reel from it today.

We can and often do disagree in this body all the time. The American people expect that of us. When we see the votes on the board, we see those disagreements resolved that way. We see them resolved in the ballot box in November.

We cannot solve our differences with violence. We must always condemn it in all its forms. It goes to the heart of American democracy that when we have those disputes, we resolve them peacefully.

What we saw in Butler not too long ago when that violence comes to our political system, when it comes to the heart of how we govern ourselves in our elections. We, of course, mourn the consequence, the cost of that violence. Mr. Comperatore, who we have heard so many talk about so eloquently, shielded his family from gunfire that day, showing some courage in the face of violence.

I wish a speedy recovery to those still recovering, including my constituent from Moon Township, Mr. Copenhaver, David Dutch of New Kensington, the former President, who of course survived this attack, and so many others who witnessed it and I am sure still suffer from it.

I thank my colleague for bringing us together in this important moment. I think it is important the American people hear us with a clear and unified voice calling for unity, rejecting the threat of violence in our elections.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Mike Kelly, for yielding. It is sad that we have to be here. Corey Comperatore is now a hero, but we would sure rather have Corey back in our lives. I didn't know Corey, but I have come, like many, to learn something about him.

Each of us wonder, if we had to, what we would do in that moment; what we would do. Corey's resolve, Corey's mettle was already known to many. As it has been said, he was a volunteer firefighter and the chief, a devoted member of his local church, a member of the armed services of America. Probably other than loving his Savior, what

he found most important in the world was being a husband to Helen and a father to Allyson and Kaylee.

We need to know why Corey is no longer with us on behalf of the American people, and we are going to find out, but that is not what this is about. This is about honoring the life and the legacy of a man who loved his family, his God, and his country, and laid down his life.

He went to the rally, expecting safety, like everybody else, but in the face of unimaginable danger, when a moment means the difference between life and death, Corey shielded his wife and his daughter, the things he loved most in this world. For that, we honor him, we pray for him, we pray for his family and his community. We also know that he exemplifies the best not only in Butler, Pennsylvania, not only in Pennsylvania and our great Commonwealth, but in the United States of America and for all of humanity.

I thank the gentleman for this time this evening. God bless Corey Comperatore and God bless his family.