Press Releases

 Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (WA) and Maria Cantwell (WA) and U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) applauded the announcement that Washington state will receive more than $2.1 million through the U.S. Department of Justice to provide additional recovery support to the Marysville and Tulalip communities, following the shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School one year ago. The members of Congress also thanked local organizations who have worked over the last year to provide care and recovery services.

The grant will go to the state Office of Crime Victims Advocacy to support ongoing care, such as therapy and mental health awareness training, as the Marysville and Tulalip communities continue to heal. After the devastating shooting on October 24, 2014, Murray, Cantwell, Larsen and DelBene wrote a letter to the Department of Justice on April 7, 2015, in support of the state’s request for a grant to help with trauma care and recovery costs.

“Though the pain experienced by the Marysville-Pilchuck community is still so new, I am inspired by the resilience of everyone who has come together and remained ‘MP Strong.’ Each and every day we remember the students whose lives were cut far too short, and it is up to us to honor their memories.” said Senator Murray. “I am so glad to see Marysville receive this federal support to provide mental health services and other assistance to those involved.” 

“On the one year anniversary of the shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, we remember the five students who lost their lives, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and the communities devastated by this tragedy. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming, but we must continue to support those healing from this senseless tragedy,” said Senator Cantwell. “The critical resources provided by this grant will be used to help overcome the challenges to rebuilding and recovery of the Marysville community and Tulalip Reservation.” 

“The strength and resilience of the Marysville and Tulalip communities is truly inspiring and admirable. Students, teachers, families, first responders and the whole community have worked hard together to heal and recover after the horrific shooting one year ago. I hope this grant will allow local organizations to continue their great work to bring counseling and other trauma care services to the community to help the healing process continue,” said Congressman Larsen.

“After a tragedy like this, lives are changed forever and we will always remember the five young people we lost,” said Congresswoman DelBene. “These funds will help our community heal by providing resources to students, family members, faculty, members of the Tulalip Tribe and first responders as they continue to recover from the trauma of this heartbreaking event.”

The grant is awarded through the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program. Funds will support crisis response costs, both incurred and anticipated, for trauma care and other services the community needs. Several local organizations will make use of the grant:

• Victim Support Services will be able to expand its work in training, advocacy and therapy for the community.
• Marysville Area Crisis Support Services plans to enhance services for first responders and their families.
• Local first responder agencies will be able to restore their budgets that were stretched following the tragedy.
• The Marysville Recovery Committee, which has coordinated the response for the community, will consolidate recovery information to make it easier to access.

Click here to see the letter the members wrote requesting the grant in April.

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