[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8609]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRAGEDY AT THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB

  (Ms. BROWN of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. I 
have had the honor of representing Orlando, Florida, for the last 24 
years. Yes, Orlando is one of the number one destinations in the 
country and it is very sophisticated and very diverse, but it is a 
family-oriented community. We have a very heavy heart.
  Although there are numerous unanswered questions at this time, the 
fact that this attack took place at a nightclub frequented by members 
of the LGBT community and that it took place as our Nation celebrates 
LGBT Pride Month leaves one to believe that this was motivated by deep 
hate and prejudice.
  I spent Sunday night and Monday in Orlando working to ensure that the 
State and local officials receive the Federal resources they need to 
make sure that this never happens again.
  Mr. Speaker, the community is coming together, but a little girl gave 
me this picture. This picture, so simple. This picture says ``Orlando 
Strong.'' Orlando is strong, but, you know, I don't know how much 
longer we are going to stand and have a moment of silent prayer.
  A moment of silent prayer, and then what?
  You know, to whom God has given much, much is expected. He expects us 
to do more than stand and rise for a moment of silent prayer when one 
person killed over 50 people and sent out over a hundred bullets. It is 
just unacceptable. People around the world are looking at us, and they 
think there is something wrong with us.
  People in America, what is wrong with you? How much longer, how much 
longer are we going to rise for a moment of silent prayer?
  Prayer without work is in vain.

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