This resolution expresses the Senate's condolences and honors the memory of the victims and first responders of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting at the Highland Park, Illinois parade.
Richard Durbin
Senator
IL
This Senate resolution expresses the body's deep condolences and honors the memory of the seven victims of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. It specifically recognizes the bravery of the first responders and medical staff who aided victims at the scene. The resolution stands in solidarity with the Highland Park community and all victims of senseless gun violence across the nation.
Senate Resolution Honors Highland Park Victims and First Responders Three Years Later
This Senate Resolution is a formal statement acknowledging the third anniversary of the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4, 2022. It doesn't change any laws or regulations, but it serves as an official expression of deep condolences and support from the Senate.
Remembering the Lives Lost
The core of the resolution is honoring the seven people who lost their lives that day: Katherine Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, and Eduardo Uvaldo. For the families and the community, this formal recognition from the Senate validates the memory of their loved ones and ensures their names are officially recorded in the legislative record. It's an important gesture of remembrance and solidarity.
The Bravo Zulu for First Responders
The resolution goes out of its way to specifically thank the massive response effort. This includes the Highland Park Police and Fire Departments, plus dozens of agencies like the FBI, Secret Service, state police, and neighboring fire and police departments from Evanston to Waukegan. It also highlights the critical work of doctors, nurses, and staff at hospitals like Highland Park Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital who provided care for the injured. For these professionals, who often move quickly from one crisis to the next, this formal acknowledgment is a recognition of their bravery and professionalism under extreme pressure.
A Nod to Community Healing
The resolution also acknowledges the long-term work of healing. It notes that volunteer counselors traveled to local school districts, including North Shore School District 112 and Township High School District 113, to help the community cope. This is a recognition that the impact of such events extends far beyond the immediate tragedy, affecting students, teachers, and parents for years. The resolution concludes by pointing out that this event was just one of ten mass shootings across the U.S. that day, making it clear that the Senate stands in solidarity with all victims of senseless gun violence nationally. While purely symbolic, this resolution serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of these events and the ongoing need for community support.