[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 12, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MOMENT OF SILENCE IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE 49 LIVES LOST AT THE PULSE 
                               NIGHTCLUB

  (Mr. SOTO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, it was 8 years ago today, June 12, that a 
gunman came into the Pulse nightclub, and we suffered one of the 
largest mass shootings in America's history. Eight years ago today, we 
lost 49 angels, 53 others were injured, and our happy little town of 
Orlando, Florida, was shattered.
  We thank the first responders who came to their rescue, our law 
enforcement, our firefighters, our EMTs, the nurses and doctors who did 
everything they could to make sure so many others were able to survive.
  This tragedy was not how we responded to be defined as, but more by 
responding with love over hate. The term ``Orlando Strong'' became a 
moniker that most of us used throughout this region.
  We had folks by the hundreds coming into blood banks to help donate, 
folks helping at our LGBTQ center, folks helping the families, many of 
which were of Hispanic descent because it was Latin night. Of course, 
we came together as a body here to pass the National Pulse Memorial.
  I ask that we join for a moment of silence for 49 seconds in honor of 
those we lost.

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