This resolution honors the memory of the victims of the 2022 Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooting and expresses gratitude to the first responders and medical personnel who provided aid.
Richard Durbin
Senator
IL
This Senate resolution honors the memory of the seven victims of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on the fourth anniversary of the tragedy. It expresses deep condolences to the victims' families, commends the bravery of the first responders and healthcare workers who provided aid, and reaffirms a commitment to standing in solidarity against gun violence.
Senate Resolution Honors Highland Park Victims and First Responders on Fourth Anniversary of Shooting
This resolution serves as a formal act of remembrance and gratitude, marking the fourth anniversary of the mass shooting at the 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. It specifically names and honors the seven individuals who lost their lives—Katherine Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Nicolas Toledo‑Zaragoza, and Eduardo Uvaldo—while sharing personal details about their lives and community contributions. Beyond the families directly affected, the resolution extends the Senate's support to the dozens of people injured and those still dealing with the trauma of that day.
A Roll Call of Service
A significant portion of this resolution is dedicated to documenting the massive inter-agency response that followed the tragedy. It commends the Highland Park Police and Fire Departments, but the list doesn't stop there. The text specifically recognizes over 100 local police departments and 38 fire departments from across the region that rushed to help. By naming entities like the Illinois State Police, the FBI, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the resolution provides a permanent record of the scale of the emergency response and the logistical coordination required during a suburban crisis.
Care Beyond the Scene
The resolution also highlights the long-term recovery efforts that happen away from the headlines. It explicitly recognizes the healthcare providers at six regional hospitals, including Highland Park and University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, who treated the wounded. Furthermore, it acknowledges the volunteer counselors at local school districts 112 and 113 who supported the community’s mental health in the year following the event. This recognition ties the legislative action to the real-world labor of medical and educational professionals who manage the aftermath of public violence.
National Context and Solidarity
While focused on Highland Park, the resolution places the event within a broader national framework. It cites data from the Gun Violence Archive, noting that this specific tragedy was one of ten mass shootings that occurred across the United States on July 4, 2022. By affirming solidarity with the North Shore region and victims of gun violence nationwide, the Senate uses this resolution to acknowledge the ongoing impact of such events on American community life and the collective grief shared by families across the country.