[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5006-5007]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF THE VICTIMS OF THE BOSTON MARATHON 
                                BOMBINGS

  Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, 2 years ago today, the people of Boston 
came face-to-face with terror at the finish line for the Boston 
Marathon. The cowardly attack and its aftermath took four lives, 
injured many more, and forever changed the lives of the survivors and 
their families.
  In the face of this horrific terrorist attack, Boston responded with 
courage and community. Our heroic first responders acted swiftly and 
their bravery saved many lives.
  In the days, weeks, and months after the marathon, families and 
friends came together to lift each other up, to raise the spirit of our 
city, and to help us heal.
  Now, 2 years later, Boston continues to move forward together. A jury 
just reached a verdict that is another step toward justice for victims 
and for their families. The strength and perseverance of survivors 
continues to inspire us, and our community works to keep alive the 
memories of Krystle Campbell, Lu Lingzi, Martin Richard, and Sean 
Collier.
  Recently, Mayor Marty Walsh announced the city of Boston will now 
recognize April 15 as One Boston Day. One Boston Day is a chance to 
honor the victims and survivors of the marathon bombing and an 
opportunity for people to give back to the community through acts of 
service. This day helps us remember that in the face of tragedy and 
violence, our community responds with an open heart.
  Next Monday, tens of thousands of people from across the Nation and 
around the world, once again, will come to Massachusetts for the 2015 
Boston Marathon. Our Commonwealth, once again, will commemorate 
Patriots' Day with reenactments, baseball, parades, and celebrations.
  Today, as we mark One Boston Day and the second anniversary of the 
attack at the Boston Marathon, we recall the spirit of strength and 
resilience that brought our city and our Commonwealth together, the 
same spirit of strength and resilience that helps us heal.
  As a tribute to honor the victims and survivors of the attack at the 
2013 Boston Marathon, I ask my colleagues to join Bostonians in a 
moment of silence at 2:49 p.m. today.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts.
  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, I would like to join Senator Warren and 
the rest of the Senate in observing a moment of silence in honor of the 
victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
  The people of the United States will always remember the victims of 
the previous acts of terrorism that have occurred in the United States 
and will always stand together as one people. Two years ago today, 
three innocent people were killed and hundreds injured in two bombings 
that occurred during the running of the 117th Boston Marathon. On the 
happiest day in Boston, Patriots' Day, two bombs detonated by the two 
evil men took lives, limbs, and livelihoods away. That day, we lost 
Martin Richard, an 8-year-old boy from Dorchester; Krystle Campbell, 
from Arlington; and Lu Lingzi, who came to the United States from 
China; and 232 innocent people were also wounded in the bombings.
  In the aftermath of the attacks, Officer Sean Collier, of the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology police force, was assassinated by 
the two twisted individuals who bombed our city. Officer Collier wasn't 
just protecting the best and the brightest minds, he was the best and 
brightest, an impressive and loved officer who has been greatly missed 
on campus and in our community.
  I want to express my deepest thanks to all of the men and women in 
law enforcement in Massachusetts and around the Nation for their 
unwavering determination, courage, and resolve to bring to justice 
those responsible for the Boston Marathon bombings. We were ``Boston 
Strong'' because we were Boston ready, with the best training and 
personnel available to save lives and to seek justice.
  Many others responded decisively: the citizens of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, fire and rescue workers, caregivers, Armed Forces, and 
thousands more who, through their many expressions of care and 
compassion, brought forth comfort, hope, and the promise of recovery.
  Today, under the leadership of Mayor Marty Walsh, the city of Boston 
is turning April 15 into a new tradition, honoring the resilience, 
generosity, and strength called One Boston Day. As Mayor Walsh said, 
``It's a day everyone should come together, spread goodwill throughout 
the city and recommit ourselves to our deepest values.''
  Mayor Walsh is right. This is a day for the citizens, businesses, and 
organizations in the city of Boston to display their humanity and draw 
neighbors together.
  Thank you, Mayor Walsh, for helping all of us understand that the 
compassion and support we all felt that day should never be forgotten 
but instead should be a part of our lives every single day.
  May the light of One Boston Day shine as an example of how our Nation 
responds to times of crisis.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will now 
observe a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Boston 
Marathon bombings.
  (Moment of silence.)
  Mr. ENZI. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.

[[Page 5007]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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