From Congressman Mike Lawler:
The Sheridan Gorman Buddy Bench has arrived in Washington, D.C., serving as a lasting tribute to Sheridan’s outgoing, inclusive, and kindhearted spirit.
Sheridan was an 18-year-old college student from Yorktown who was shot and killed in Chicago by an illegal immigrant earlier this year.
Throughout her life, Sheridan had a gift for making others feel seen. At her elementary school’s Buddy Bench, she looked out for children who were feeling lonely and became known as the “guardian” of the bench, always making sure no one was left without a friend.
In June, Sheridan’s mother, Jessica, testified before Congress following her daughter’s death and fulfilled her promise to bring a Buddy Bench to Congress. I was honored to be the first member of Congress to sit with the Gorman family on the Buddy Bench and honor Sheridan’s memory and all Angel Families.
This bench will serve as a lasting reminder of Sheridan’s selflessness, kindness, and inclusiveness.