Hoyer Floor Remarks in Remembrance of Richard W. Collins III

WASHINGTON, DC – This afternoon, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives paying tribute to the life of Richard W. Collins III. Click here for a link to Congressman Hoyer's full remarks in the Congressional Record. Below is a transcript of his remarks:

"Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, a young man in my district was killed in what appears to be a vicious crime probably motivated by hate. U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III was just days away from graduating from Bowie State University. Richard stood on the threshold of what promised to be a life of service to his country. He has been remembered by family and friends as a ‘kind soul,' an ‘angel,' and ‘a national treasure.' 

"All of us across Maryland were shocked and devastated when we learned of the attack that took his life. An unprovoked attack, at a bus station, waiting for an Uber to pick him up. An individual came along, asked him to step left, whatever that meant. He said ‘no I won't,' and he was stabbed in the chest. We were deeply alarmed to learn that the suspect in Richard's murder belonged to an alleged online white supremacist group. Richard was African American. Richard's murderer must be held to account under the full weight of our laws, and hopefully he will be.

"His life is a reminder of everything that makes our nation extraordinary. His death is a painful reminder that our work in overcoming hatred in this country is far from over. I have been keeping Richard's parents and family in my thoughts and in my prayers this week, and I will continue to do so. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the remainder of my remarks paying tribute to Richard Collins be printed in full in the record."