A resolution condemning the horrific school shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, as a hate crime, and recognizing the victims and expressing condolences to their families.

III 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 127 Condemning the horrific school shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, as a hate crime, and recognizing the victims and expressing condolences to their families. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH 28, 2023 Mr. HAWLEY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Condemning the horrific school shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, as a hate crime, and recognizing the victims and expressing condolences to their families. Whereas, on March 27, 2023, a deranged individual tragically and violently opened fire at The Covenant School, a reli- gious institution in Nashville, Tennessee, that is part of the Covenant Presbyterian Church; Whereas this heinous act resulted in the death of 3 innocent students, namely Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney; Whereas 3 dedicated school employees, Cynthia Peak, Kath- erine Koonce, and Michael Hill, also tragically lost their lives in the line of duty; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR127.IS SR127 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •SRES 127 IS Whereas Federal law explicitly prohibits violence against peo- ple of the United States on the basis of religious affili- ation or belief; Whereas this reprehensible act of violence targeted a Chris- tian institution, its students, and its employees; Whereas the Senate acknowledges and honors the bravery and sacrifice of the first responders, law enforcement of- ficers, and medical personnel who responded to this trag- ic event; Whereas the Senate extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims and the entire community of The Covenant School; and Whereas the Senate recognizes that the United States must continue to work to prevent hate crimes, protect religious liberties, and ensure the safety and security of all people of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) strongly condemns the horrific act of vio- 2 lence that occurred at The Covenant School in 3 Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27, 2023, and rec- 4 ognizes it as a hate crime targeting Christians; 5 (2) honors the memory of the victims, Evelyn 6 Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Cynthia 7 Peak, Katherine Koonce, and Michael Hill, and ex- 8 tends its heartfelt condolences to their families, 9 friends, and the entire community of The Covenant 10 School; 11 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR127.IS SR127 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •SRES 127 IS (3) expresses gratitude and appreciation for the 1 bravery and selflessness displayed by the first re- 2 sponders, law enforcement officers, and medical per- 3 sonnel who responded to the tragic event; 4 (4) calls on all people of the United States— 5 (A) to unite in the face of such hatred and 6 violence; and 7 (B) to stand in solidarity with those who 8 have been affected by this tragedy; 9 (5) condemns hateful rhetoric that leads to vio- 10 lence; and 11 (6) reaffirms its commitment to uphold the val- 12 ues of tolerance, religious freedom, and justice for 13 all, as enshrined in the Constitution of the United 14 States. 15 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR127.IS SR127 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB