Springfield, IL…To honor the victims and the heroes of the shooting on Northern Illinois University's campus, State Representative Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley) passed a resolution through the Illinois House of Representatives today which remembers the students who were gunned down and thanks the emergency personnel, university, and community which came together during a time of great tragedy.

“I think it is important to offer this resolution in the General Assembly to remember the 5 students who were killed that day and the 18 that were wounded, but also express the support of our state for their families, university, and community,” said Pritchard.

During his speech on the House floor, Pritchard recalled the lives of Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne Mace, and Daniel Parmenter.

“They were budding individuals that had various life experiences, had wonderful dreams and were using their educational opportunities to advance those dreams. When they left their place of residence that morning, they had no idea they wouldn't be returning,” said Pritchard. “Friends who saw them just moments before class share stories of how they were planning to do wonderful things the next day. This points out to us that life is very fragile that we need to savor every moment of the day we are given. And we shouldn't put off trying to do good to another day because that opportunity may never come.”

Pritchard said the resolution commends local responders, the university, medical providers and the community who came together during and after the tragedy as well as individuals and groups across the entire nation. “It is the best of this country that we have seen in the aftermath of this tragedy,” Pritchard noted.

“The lives of these individuals will be remembered. The tragedy will be remembered,” Pritchard said. “And in the coming days, we will discuss how we can prevent or minimize and recover from this kind of event.”