Lincoln Introduces Resolution Honoring
Service of Private William Andrew Long,
Private Quinton Ezeagwula
Senator Blanche Lincoln today introduced a resolution condemning the murder of Private William Andrew Long and the wounding of Private Quinton Ezeagwula. Private Long of Conway was shot and killed on June 1 outside of an Army-Navy Career Center in Little Rock. Private Ezeagwula of Jacksonville was injured in the attack.
Lincoln paid tribute to these Arkansans in a speech on the Senate floor earlier today.
Lincoln’s audio from today’s speech is available in mp3 format at the following website:
“Private Long and Private Ezeagwula were targeted in what I view as an act of terrorism because of the uniform that they wore—a uniform that stands as a symbol of their country,” Lincoln said. “Ours is a country where we resolve our differences through debate and democratic elections, not through violence, and it is a country where freedom is cherished and liberty is recognized as an inalienable right of all people. Our country owes a great debt to Private Long for his service as well as to all the brave men and women in the Armed Forces who protect and defend the freedoms we cherish as Americans every day. My thoughts and prayers go out to Private Long’s family and to all those who knew and loved him.”
Senators Mark Pryor and Joe Lieberman are cosponsors of Lincoln’s resolution.
In a speech on the floor of the United States Senate earlier today, Lincoln spoke of Private Long’s and Private Ezeagwula’s respective service in the U.S. Army and their commitment to our country. Her remarks, as prepared for delivery, are copied below. The text of the resolution follows.
Lincoln’s Floor Speech
As prepared for delivery
“I rise today to pay tribute to a young man, Army Private William Andrew Long, of Conway, Arkansas. Last week he was laid to rest at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. He was buried with full military honors and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. Private Long was a loving son, brother, and friend whose life was tragically cut short on June 1 in a senseless attack outside of the Army Navy Career Center in Little Rock. Private Quinton Ezeagwula was also injured in the attack. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and we hope he makes a speedy recovery.
“Private Long had recently finished Army training and was set to deploy to South Korea. He had been appointed to the Army’s Hometown Recruiter Assistance Program in Little Rock and was at the Army recruiting office on that fateful day because he had volunteered to tell others about his experience in the military. Known to his friends and family as Andy, Private Long will always be remembered by them for his boundless energy, keen intelligence, infectious smile, and great sense of humor. His country will remember him as a hero with the courage to serve his nation during a time of war; we will also remember him as a young man whose life was ended much too soon.
“Private Long hailed from a fiercely patriotic family with four generations of uniformed service to the United States. Andy’s great-grandfather and grandfather served; both of his parents served; and his brother, Private First Class Triston Long, continues to serve today and will be deployed to Iraq later this summer. On behalf of my colleagues in the Senate and the people of Arkansas, I would like to take this moment to thank the Long family for their extraordinary dedication and service to our nation.
“On that tragic day in Little Rock, Andy was targeted in what I view as an act of terrorism because of the uniform that he wore—a uniform that stands as a symbol of his country. Ours is a country where we resolve our differences through debate and democratic elections, not through violence, and it is a country where freedom is cherished and liberty is recognized as an inalienable right of all people. Terrorism has absolutely no place in this country and as elected representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure we are doing everything we can to combat terrorism, bring justice to its perpetrators, and protect our communities and our families.
“That is why I stand here today to put forth a resolution condemning the murder of Private Long and condemning the use of violence to achieve political ends. Additionally, I call for the swift prosecution, to the fullest extent of the law, of the perpetrator of this senseless shooting.
“The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces risk their lives every day, both overseas and here in the United States. Let it be known that their resolve will not and cannot be shattered. The ideals represented by the uniform worn by Andy Long, his parents, and the generations of brave American men and women before them, still serves to represent liberty and justice for all and no act of terrorism can diminish that. It can only strengthen our resolve and reaffirm our commitment to America’s most basic ideals and values.
“Our country owes a great debt to Private Long for his service as well as to the brave men and women in the Armed Forces who protect and defend the freedoms we cherish as Americans every day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Private Long’s family and to all those who knew and loved him.”
Senate Resolution
Condemning the murder of Army Private William Andrew “Andy” 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.
Whereas on June 1, 2009, Private William Andrew “Andy” Long, aged 23, of Conway, Arkansas, was murdered outside the Army-Navy Career Center in Little Rock, Arkansas;
Whereas on June 1, 2009, Private Quinton Ezeagwula, aged 18, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, was wounded by gunfire outside the Army-Navy Career Center in Little Rock, Arkansas;
Whereas there are more than 1,400,000 active component and more than 1,200,000 reserve component members of the Armed Forces protecting the United States;
Whereas 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 United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Europe;
Whereas the men and women of the Armed Forces risk their lives every day to preserve the freedoms cherished by people in the United States;
Whereas service in the Armed Forces demands extraordinary sacrifices from service members and their families and often places service members in harm’s way
Whereas members of the Armed Forces are the targets of violence not only abroad but in the United States as well; and
Whereas such violence is reprehensible and must not be tolerated: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) offers its condolences to the family of Private William Andrew “Andy” Long;
(2) hopes for a full recovery for Private Quinton Ezeagwula;
(3) urges swift prosecution to the fullest extent of the law of the perpetrator or perpetrators of this senseless shooting;
(4) urges the people of the United States to join the Senate in condemning acts of violence; and
(5) honors the service and sacrifice of all men and women in the Armed Services who protect and defend our freedom every day.
