On the recordJuly 8, 2016
We mourn the loss of the police officers in Dallas, and we pray for the recovery of those who are still in the hospital, trying to heal. As a brother of two police officers and as the son of a police officer, this is every family member's worst nightmare to think that, when you see them off to work, you may never see them come home. So we stand here, this House, with the families. We think about Sergeant Scott Lunger, back in Hayward, California, who lost his life on July 22 of last year. It is also not inconsistent, as we mourn the deaths of these police officers, to also ask for justice without delay for Alton Sterling of Louisiana and for Philando Castile of Minnesota. That is not inconsistent. What is inconsistent, though, is to have a moment of silence or to make a call for justice but then to do nothing further in this Chamber--the one place in the world where we can make the greatest difference to reduce gun violence. I hope this House answers that call and does not stand silent any longer but, actually, recognizes why we are here--to keep the public safe and to act. ____________________
