[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 8, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HEINOUS ATTACK AT THE PULSE 
                       NIGHTCLUB ON JUNE 12, 2016

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam President, nearly 6 years ago, our State, 
Nation, the city of Orlando, and Hispanic and LGBTQ communities were 
attacked. Forty-nine innocent and beautiful lives were lost. It was an 
evil and hateful 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 have 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 parents who lost their children. I went to 
funerals and wakes. I sat in hospital rooms. 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 sixth anniversary of this devastating 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.
  I was proud that last year Congress passed and the President signed 
into law legislation I introduced with Senator Rubio and Senator 
Padilla to designate the location of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando as 
the National Pulse Memorial, which will honor the memory of those we 
lost.
  Today, I am requesting all my colleagues to join Senator Rubio and me 
to pass a resolution honoring the memory of the 49 lives lost during 
the heinous attack at the Pulse nightclub. Let's come together now to 
say that our Nation will always stand against hate and evil in this 
world.
  Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, this weekend will mark 6 years since 49 
of our fellow Americans were killed in one of the deadliest attacks in 
our Nation's history.
  It was a tragic, despicable terrorist attack on the Hispanic and gay 
communities in Orlando. Each person killed was a son or daughter, 
brother or sister, mother or father, husband or wife. They were part of 
our families and communities. The assault on Pulse was an act of pure 
evil that was and remains the worst terror attack on U.S. soil since 
September 11, 2001. And it was inspired by the same ideology of hate. 
But ultimately, that hateful ideology failed to tear apart our 
community.
  June 12, 2016, is a day that I will never forget. The senseless, 
tragic loss of life will never dull with time, nor will the memory of 
how our communities came together in the days and weeks that followed. 
Pulse was a well-known nightclub in central Florida. It was part of the 
fabric of the local community, and that awful day struck a terrible 
blow. But the community awoke from the tragedy stronger and more united 
than it was before.
  The terrorist would have been horrified to see the First Baptist 
Church in Orlando--another pillar of the local community--opening its 
doors to the LGBT community, welcoming them and their families, and 
holding services there. The terrorist would have hated to see 
Floridians from all across the State bringing food and water to support 
victims, families, and first responders. There were unending lines to 
donate blood. There were memorial services around the State. There was 
a sense that there was something greater than any one person worth 
sacrificing for; there was a sense of community, fellowship, and 
solidarity. This is the America I know and love, and it is our country 
at its best.
  Sunday will be a day for reflection, for remembering those who lost 
their lives to an evil, hateful ideology. It will also be a day to 
acknowledge the tremendous impact their families and the survivors have 
had, not only on their community and State, but on our Nation.
  And while the fight against evil and hate continues, we can and 
should take inspiration from their strength.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. As if in legislative session, I ask unanimous 
consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 663, 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 663) honoring the memory of the 
     victims of the heinous attack at the Pulse nightclub on June 
     12, 2016.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no 
intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 663) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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