Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) led the efforts on the House Floor to pass H. Res 515, a resolution expressing the House’s outrage at the tragic attack on Army Privates Long and Ezeagwula in Little Rock, Arkansas. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), condemns the horrific incident, urges justice for the perpetrators, and expresses the House’s hope for the full recovery of Private Ezeagwula.


“This dastardly attack on two young American soldiers should shock the conscience of all Americans,” said Nadler. “Privates Long and Ezeagwula had answered the call to service, and were willing to lay down their lives for their country, but the deadly attack came here at home, not on a field of battle half-way around the world. At a time like this, it is important for us all to stand together, to support our men and women in uniform, and to speak with one voice against violence directed against them.”

Rep. Nadler delivered the following statement on the House Floor today:

“M. Speaker, H. Res. 515 rightly condemns the murder of Army Private William Long and the wounding of Army Private Quinton Ezeagwula, who were shot outside the Army Navy Career Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 1, 2009.

“This dastardly attack on two young Americans who were simply standing outside the armed forces recruiting center where they worked should shock the conscience of all Americans. Private Long, 23, was murdered, and Private Ezeagwula, 18, was wounded. They had answered the call to service, and were willing to lay down their lives for their country, but the deadly attack came here at home, not on a field of battle half-way around the world.

“There are more than 1.4 million active component members of the armed forces protecting America, and more than 1.2 million reserve component members. There are more than 8,000 Army and Army Reserve recruiters, and more than 7,000 Navy recruiters, serving at more than 1,500 military recruiting stations and centers in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Europe. Each one of these men and women are courageous patriots who deserve our support. And this deadly attack is nothing short of dastardly.

“This resolution offers the condolences of this House to the family of Private Long, expresses our hopes for a full recovery for Private Ezeagwula, and urges that the perpetrator or perpetrators of this senseless shooting be brought to justice. I want to commend our colleague, the Gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Franks, for introducing this resolution. It is an appropriate statement of what I know to be the views of every Member of this House.

“At a time like this, it is important for us all to stand together, to support our men and women in uniform, and to speak with one voice against violence directed against them. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.”