[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 206 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S6003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 509--RECOGNIZING THE FIRST COMMEMORATION OF THE ANTI-
  LGBTQ+ ATTACK THAT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 19-20, 2022, AT CLUB Q, AN 
                LGBTQ+ BAR IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

  Mr. BENNET (for himself and Mr. Hickenlooper) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 509

       Whereas, on November 19-20, 2022, a mass shooting took 
     place at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs, Colorado;
       Whereas 5 innocent victims were killed, 17 community 
     members were injured by gunshot wounds, and 32 other 
     community members sustained injuries, including mental and 
     emotional trauma from witnessing this violent event;
       Whereas the 5 innocent victims killed in the shooting 
     were--
       (1) Raymond Green Vance;
       (2) Ashley Paugh;
       (3) Daniel Aston;
       (4) Kelly Loving; and
       (5) Derrick Rump;

       Whereas the State of Colorado came together for medical and 
     funeral expenses for those affected by the shooting;
       Whereas, at the time of the mass shooting, Club Q was a 
     dedicated LGBTQ+ safe space in Colorado Springs, Colorado;
       Whereas the shooting brought further trauma and a feeling 
     of loss of safety and security to members of the LGBTQ+ 
     community;
       Whereas the perpetrator of the attack had a history of 
     homicidal behavior and hatefully targeted the individuals at 
     Club Q because of their affiliation with the LGBTQ+ 
     community;
       Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, in 2022, there were more than 48,000 firearm-
     related deaths in the United States, of which 40 percent were 
     firearm homicides, according to provisional mortality data;
       Whereas transgender people are over 4 times more likely 
     than the broader public to experience violent victimization, 
     including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple 
     assault;
       Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation compiled 
     reports of 622 anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in 2022;
       Whereas violence against LBGTQ+ people of the United States 
     remains an evil and destructive form of identity-based hate 
     that destroys lives and runs contrary to the values of the 
     United States;
       Whereas the people of the United States commend the club 
     patrons Richard M. Fierro, Drea Norman, and Petty Officer 
     Thomas James, whose bravery in disarming the perpetrator 
     undoubtedly saved countless lives;
       Whereas the people of the United States commend the service 
     of the Colorado Springs Police Department that responded to 
     and investigated the shooting and the prosecution team from 
     the District Attorney's Office of Colorado's Fourth Judicial 
     District that worked to bring the perpetrator to justice;
       Whereas Club Q plans to reopen at a new location, and local 
     community organizations, the city of Colorado Springs, 
     survivors, and victims' families are working together to 
     establish a plan for a public memorial; and
       Whereas the LGBTQ+ community of Colorado Springs, local 
     social service organizations, and clinical partners are 
     collaborating to open a new resource center to provide long 
     term support for those impacted by the attack on Club Q, and 
     the greater LGBTQ+ community: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 1 year remembrance of the anti-LGBTQ+ 
     attack that occurred on November 19-20, 2022, at Club Q, an 
     LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and
       (2) expresses continued solidarity and support to the 
     survivors of the Club Q shooting, the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ 
     community in the wake of this attack, and the families, 
     friends, and loved ones affected by the tragedy.

                          ____________________