June 17, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 112 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page S3060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CHARLESTON CHURCH SHOOTING

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, 5 years have passed, and it still feels 
like a bad dream, but we know it actually happened. The senseless 
murder of nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel hit South Carolina like a 
ton of bricks. It remains hard to understand how anyone could have so 
much hate in their heart. To be welcomed into a church, worship with 
the parishioners, and then turn around and shoot them in cold blood 
remains one of the most horrific acts ever recorded.
  Then just days after this horrible tragedy, the people at Mother 
Emanuel showed a level of love and forgiveness that was truly 
unimaginable. It was an act that is rarely seen. I personally cannot 
imagine turning to the person who killed my family members saying, I 
forgive you. I know that type of grace can only come from God. Of all 
the things that I have seen in public life, the words from the family 
members continue to amaze me to this day. You must truly have the love 
of the Lord in your heart to be able to muster that kind of 
forgiveness.
  On the 5-year anniversary, we think of those who lost their lives and 
the families left behind, the Christmases without loved ones, the 
birthdays missed. Our hearts are still broken, and our prayers remain 
with the parishioners at Mother Emanuel.

                          ____________________