Community packs municipal building to remember CT shooting victims

San Benito city and school district officials are seen along with residents to pay their respects to the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting. (Staff photo by Heather Cathleen Cox)

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com 

Elected officials of the City of San Benito and San Benito CISD including employees and civil service personnel came together Friday morning with members of the community and local clergy to pay their final respects to those whose lives were lost last week in the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

The prayer ceremony was opened and closed by words spoken by San Benito Mayor Joe H. Hernandez, with prayers officiated by the following clergy members: Pastor Joe Jaime of Primera Iglesia Bautista; Pastor Harry Smith, retired; Youth Pastor Abram Gomez of Valley International Christian Center.

Mayor Hernandez said he was “elated” to see so many members of the community at this prayer, showing support of the tragedy in Connecticut and praying for the families and friends who lost loved ones.

Pastor Gomez shared each victim’s name, slowly, and as elected officials and everyday citizens silently listened, many were seen wiping away tears.

“As a nation,” said Hernandez, “we need to come together to show that these things will not be tolerated. As a nation, we need to protect tomorrow’s youth.”

Mayor Hernandez further stated, “These children are our future generations. This type of thing has happened one-too-many times. We can’t allow it to happen again.

Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón, City Manager Manuel Lara, San Benito Fire Department Operations Chief Raul Zuniga and San Benito Police Department Operations Chief Martin Morales were among those in attendance.

Read this story in the Dec. 23 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.