[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 9, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4012-S4013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



              Anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam President, nearly 5 years ago, our State, 
Nation, the city of Orlando, and Hispanic and LGBTQ communities were 
attacked, and 49 innocent and beautiful lives were lost. It was an evil 
act--an act of terrorism--designed to divide us as a nation and strike 
fear in our hearts and minds but instead we came together; we supported 
each other; and we persevered. We proved to the world what we in 
Florida already knew: Floridians are resilient.
  The days I spent in Orlando following the shooting will always be 
with me. I talked to many parents who lost their children. I went to 
funerals and wakes. And I sat in hospital rooms. As a father and 
grandfather, it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It 
was heartbreaking.
  But in this horribly dark time, the selfless courage of so many, from 
community members to law enforcement, to healthcare workers, provided a 
sense of hope. This incredible strength, love, and bravery lifted up 
Orlando and the State of Florida and helped us begin to rebuild.
  This week, on the fifth anniversary of this unthinkable tragedy, the 
State of Florida comes together to honor the lives lost too soon. And 
we vow to always stand up and fight against evil and hatred in this 
world.
  Now I yield the floor to my colleague from Florida, Senator Rubio.
  Mr. RUBIO. Most Americans remember that horrifying day 5 years ago. I 
certainly do. I remember it was a morning, and I started getting text 
messages that something horrifying had happened in our home State. As 
we turned on the news, we could see that it already had been the 
deadliest attack on American soil since September 11 of 2001.
  And the full horror of that day, of that night, came into focus, as I 
remember jumping in my truck and driving 3 hours to be on the scene. 
And it would be a few more days, or a few more hours, before we learned 
that it was an attack that was inspired by an ideology of hatred by an 
individual inspired by--who had pledged allegiance to a foreign 
terrorist organization, and in that context appeared there on that 
evening. It was an evening of tragedy.
  It was, as Senator Scott mentioned, Latin night at the Pulse 
nightclub. This was a well-known nightclub in the LGBTQ community in 
Central Florida. And one would think no one should ever be--the last 
thing someone is worried about when they go out for a night with their 
friends is that they are going to be attacked by a radical jihadist 
terrorist in the United States.
  We had seen similar attacks in London and France. And the realization 
that that could happen in Florida, just down the street from a small 
business furniture store whose owners I had gotten to know shook 
everyone, shook me.
  Like most terrorist attacks, it sought not only to bring death but 
division and fear, to terrorize; and, clearly, there is a tremendous 
amount of pain that 5 years later is still there.
  But from it, what also occurred was that it brought Floridians 
together, particularly those in Central Florida--first, hand in hand to 
grieve and then to preserve the memory of those whose lives were lost. 
The outpouring of love and support came not only from Florida but from 
Americans from all across the United States who shared in our grief and 
drew inspiration from the State's resilience.
  Five years later, the process of mourning continues. The process of 
remembrance continues, but so, too, is Orlando as united as it was 5 
years ago. It is a reminder to us that even with

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all the challenges and threats we face, the threat of a radical, 
hateful ideology that can inspire people living here to take such 
horrifying actions, is something we should remain vigilant about.
  And I want to thank my colleague Senator Scott for allowing me to 
partner with him on this resolution to remember not just that tragic 
day and to support the national Pulse Memorial but also to extend our 
continued condolences to those who suffered so greatly on that evening 
and to remind a nation of how we must remain vigilant against those who 
seek to terrorize
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague 
from Florida for participating in this with me. It was a devastating 
day 5 years ago for all of us in Florida and around the Nation.
  Today, I am requesting all my colleagues join us to honor the memory 
of the 49 lives lost and come together to say their nation will always 
stand against hate and evil in this world.
  I will be asking consent for the Senate to pass a resolution honoring 
the memory of the victims of the heinous attack of the Pulse nightclub, 
cosponsored by my colleague from Florida, Senator Rubio, and 
legislation designating the location of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando 
as the National Pulse Memorial to serve as a tribute to the victims and 
a reminder for us to always stand for love and kindness over hate and 
evil in this world. It is also cosponsored by my colleague from 
Florida, Senator Rubio, and my colleague from California, Senator 
Padilla. I hope my colleagues join us in the effort today.

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