Political Quotes

“Madam President, this is the first time I have come to the floor to speak on this issue while the Senator from Iowa has been presiding. Over the last 2 years, since the mass tragedy in my State, in Sandy Hook, CT, I have come to the floor once every week or so to give voice to victims of gun violence all across this country. I have told the story of the beautiful 6- and 7-year-olds as well as the teachers and professionals who were killed that day. The fact is that every day across this country there are two to three Sandy Hooks that happen. There are 86 people killed by guns every day in this country, 2,600 a month, and over 30,000 a year. The statistics, unfortunately, have not compelled this body to action. We have done nothing--zero--about this national tragedy since Sandy Hook. That is a stain upon the conscience of this body that is impossible to erase. My hope is that by coming to the floor and speaking about who these people actually are, maybe it will prompt us to have a conversation about how we can make sure these numbers aren't eliminated; they are never going to go away but to make sure they are lower, that they are less than these numbers, the highest in the developed world. Let me speak first about an extraordinary young man, 44 years old, who was killed on January 20--just about 2 weeks ago--in Boston, MA. His name was Dr. Michael Davidson. He was shot by a gunman who walked into Brigham and Women's Hospital.…”