[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 171 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



             Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting Anniversary

  Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memories of the 
lives that were lost in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017. Four years ago 
tomorrow, the Las Vegas community experienced tragedy on an 
unprecedented scale.
  Tens of thousands of people gathered that night for a country music 
festival. They were there to have fun, to dance, and to enjoy a concert 
with family and friends. That night, the fun quickly turned to terror 
when gunfire erupted, taking 60 innocent souls and injuring hundreds 
and hundreds more. In just 10 minutes--10 minutes--dozens of lives were 
cut short and so many more were forever changed.
  These victims were friends and family, brothers and sisters, parents 
and children, and that night, they were taken from us. The people that 
survived and the loved ones that didn't are still grieving, still 
feeling that loss with every passing holiday, every passing birthday, 
every single day their lives are forever changed.
  Nevada will always feel that loss too. This was the worst mass 
shooting in American history, and it happened in our State.
  But I know our community is strong. We are resilient, and in our 
darkest hour--and in the days and weeks and months and now even years 
after--we remain united. We remain Vegas Strong.
  We are united in our grief for those we lost but also in our 
admiration for those who helped save lives and support others that 
night: heroic law enforcement officers and first responders, everyday 
citizens who ran toward the danger--they ran toward the danger to help 
others--and countless Nevadans who waited in line to donate blood and 
help people who were displaced in the chaotic aftermath of the 
shooting.
  As we reflect on the 4 years since this horrific event, I stand here 
today--I stand here today to honor the heroes who put themselves in 
harm's way to save others. I stand here today to honor those who were 
injured physically, psychologically, and emotionally, especially those 
who are still fighting to recover. Know that we are with you now and 
always. And I stand here today to honor those who lost their 
lives. They will never ever be forgotten. May their memories be a 
blessing. And in their memory, we are resilient. In their honor, we are 
strong. We are Vegas Strong.

  I thank the Presiding Officer.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho.
  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, first of all, I ask permission to use an 
item to demonstrate in the speech that I am going to give, please.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.