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[Page H4437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL PULSE MEMORIAL
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Soto) for 5 minutes.
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, nearly 3 years ago, on this date, we lost 49
angels and 53 others were injured. Family and friends grieved for their
loved ones and our Orlando community mourned. But we came together,
stronger than ever before, to heal, to comfort each other, to overcome
this tragedy, and, most importantly, to give back.
As Orlando Strong, we swore, as a community, to never forget those
who we lost that night--their stories, their images, their memories,
and their spirits--which live on in our hearts and our memories. We can
never forget this tragic act of hate against the LGBTQ and Latinx
community: our community. We continue to reject these despicable acts
of hate.
To honor the fallen and the survivors of this tragedy, I joined with
my colleagues, Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings, to
introduce landmark legislation to designate the Pulse nightclub as a
federally recognized national memorial site. This designation gives
these hallowed grounds the national recognition it deserves, while
serving as a reminder that love overcomes hate.
Let the Pulse memorial become a symbol of hope, love, and continued
light for our community. We will always remember the 49 angels:
Edward Sotomayor, Jr.
Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velazquez
Stanley Almodovar, III
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado
Javier Jorge-Reyes
Shane Evan Tomlinson
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo
Juan Ramon Guerrero
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz
Luis S. Vielma
Kimberly Morris
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice
Darryl Roman Burt, II
Deonka Deidra Drayton
Anthony Luis Laureano Disla
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon
Amanda Alvear
Martin Benitez Torres
Jerald Arthur Wright
Cory James Connell
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool
Christopher Andrew Leinonen
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala
Luis Daniel Conde
Leroy Valentin Fernandez
Jason Benjamin Josaphat
Frank Hernandez
Akyra Murray
Mercedez Marisol Flores
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero
Enrique L. Rios, Jr.
Miguel Angel Honorato
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez
Juan Chevez-Martinez
Tevin Eugene Crosby
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz
Paul Terrell Henry
Joel Rayon Paniagua
Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan
Angel L. Candelario-Padro
Antonio Davon Brown
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, and
Alejandro Barrios Martinez
Just think about how long it took me to reference all those names. It
gives you just a glimpse of the carnage and the death that happened
that day, but we will always remember them.
Do-Nothing Senate
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, there is something rotten in the city of
Washington. There is an injustice brewing in this Capitol. And there is
a sinister plot afoot in this Congress.
On the one hand, we have the people's House, the House of
Representatives, where we are working every day and passing major
legislation--our For the People Agenda--and, on the Senate side, we see
something very different--inaction, stagnancy. In essence, they are
doing nothing.
Our For the People House is passing laws that combat corruption in
D.C. and strengthen election security. Our For the People House is
lowering prescription drug prices. Our For the People House is passing
the Equality Act, Dream Act, universal background checks, and others.
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