Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden partnered with U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum (OR-05) to announce the introduction of resolutions in the Senate and House that express the condolences of Congress and honor the memory of the victims of the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting in Bend on October 15, 2026:
“In the days and weeks since the horrific shooting at Silver Rail, my heart has remained with the Bend community and all the students and families affected,” said Merkley. “As Silver Rail students, teachers, and faculty return to their school, our resolution honors the souls lost that day and all those forever affected by this tragedy. We will never stop fighting for a future where all schools are safe.”
“Today’s action shows the children, parents and staff at Silver Rail Elementary School as well as all of Bend that the entire nation stands with them after last month’s horrific school shooting,” said Wyden. “I’ll never forget witnessing how the community pulled together in the awful aftermath of this deadly attack, and it’s with those memories in mind that I pledge to act on this resolution’s commitment to honor the victims’ memory. I’ll never stop working to do that by reducing the risks of similar assaults, supporting investments in youth mental health and passing common-sense gun legislation.”
“It’s been almost a month since we lost our babies in the Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting in Bend. And while the news outlets have since packed up and gone home, our community is still grieving and holding on tightly to the babies we have lost,” said Bynum. “Our babies deserve to feel safe at school, at home, and in our communities. My heart is with our families, our students, our educators, and all of Oregon. I am with you, and I know we can’t keep saying goodbye to our children like this. I promise to continue fighting to protect all of America’s children.”
Full text of the Senate resolution can be found by clicking here.
Full text of the House resolution can be found by clicking here.
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