Val Demings: “Today marks 2 years since the Pulse shooting. Tonight, my colleague Congressman Soto and I stand on the floor of the…”

“Today marks 2 years since the Pulse shooting. Tonight, my colleague Congressman Soto and I stand on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to honor and remember the victims of that horrible night. The Pulse attack was the second worst mass shooting marring American history, the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11, and the worst attack against the LGBTQ population in our history. This evening, in our hometown of Orlando, thousands of people are gathered, like they were 1 year ago and 1 year after that. They gather to mourn, to honor, and to pay tribute to the 49 lives we lost on June 12, 2016, just as we do here tonight. Mr. Speaker, I wish I could be there with my friends, neighbors, and loved ones in Orlando, but I felt it was important to be here, fulfilling our duty as Members of Congress. We stand here tonight on the floor of the House of Representatives so that the world will not forget the lives we lost in the Pulse nightclub shooting. This month, we are celebrating Pride Month. June 1 was Gun Violence Awareness Day. For the men and women at Pulse 2 years ago, the nightclub was a refuge. It was a haven for our LGBTQ community and their friends; and particularly, it was Latin Night, and they gathered to celebrate. It was a place where, my bishop likes to say, they were there for a late night fellowship. This is what I want to emphasize.…”