Tuesday, April 17, 2007

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
Floor Statement on the Virginia Tech Tragedy
Remarks as Delivered on the Senate Floor

Mr. President, I rise today to express my sympathy and I know the sympathy of all of the Members of the Senate and the people of the United States of America on the tragic losses yesterday at Virginia Tech.

I learned this morning that one of those first tragic losses was a young gentleman by the name of Ryan Clark, and I, from the floor of the Senate, send to Martinez, GA, my sympathy, that of Senator Chambliss, and that of all Members of the Senate on the tragic loss of Ryan.

None of us can understand what happened yesterday, but all of us must understand the profound tragedy and the loss of youth in its prime.

Ryan Clark, 22 years old, a double major in English and biology, was about to walk across the stage and graduate and then pursue a masters and a Ph.D. in psychology. Ryan is survived not only by his mother Letitie but by his brother Bryan. Bryan told us that his brother was known best by his nickname on the campus, ``Stack.'' Stack, if you go to the Web site of the Virginia Tech band, can be seen volunteering his time in a food drive for the needy. In fact, just last December, in the Georgia Dome at the Peach Bowl of 2006, one of the last times that Ryan went back to Georgia, he performed with the Virginia Tech band at halftime of that bowl game.

This young man was a residential adviser, a member of the band, an outstanding student, a proud son, and a proud brother. I am very proud as a Georgian to have known of his accomplishments, and I send his mother Letitie my prayers and my hopes that she will accept our sympathy and endure the tragedy of the loss of her son Ryan.

To the families of all of those professors, employees, and students who were hurt yesterday in Blacksburg, VA, I extend my sympathy and my deepest prayers that we will find reconciliations out of tragedy.