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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USVa. Tech shooting prompts prayer in state House
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State lawmakers held hands and prayed on the floor of the House of Representatives this morning for the victims of Monday’s shooting massacre at Virginia Tech, which included two men from Georgia.
Rep. Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain) told the House about a longtime friend who was killed in the shooting, Christopher J. Bishop.
Bishop, 35, grew up in Pine Mountain, where his parents still reside, Smith said. He attended the University of Georgia on a Fullbright fellowship and studied in Europe, Smith said. He was a German professor at Virginia Tech, Smith said.
“I watched him grow all his life,” Smith said. “We don’t know why he was in the classroom when this gunman came in. And I guess he was the first … ” Smith said in a voice choked with emotion before pausing to compose himself. “Remember his family … Pray for him.”
Rep. Quincy Murphy (D-Augusta) talked about Ryan Clark, 22, of Martinez in Columbia County. Clark had a 4.0 grade point average at Virginia Tech and was studying three majors, including psychology, biology and English, Murphy said. Clark was scheduled to graduate in May, Murphy added.
“Ryan was remembered as a very active, humorous, kind and gentle friend,” Murphy told the House. “We solicit your prayers for all of the families of all of the students.”
Rep. Hardie Davis (D-Gracewood) then led the House in prayer.
“May the families that have suffered great loss, Lord God, be able to stand together,” Davis said. “And may you resurrect them and revive them during this time. This we pray in our father’s name, amen.”
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