Val Demings: “Today my community gathers in Orlando to remember 49 victims of gun violence. The Pulse shooting, 3 years ago today, was…”

“Today my community gathers in Orlando to remember 49 victims of gun violence. The Pulse shooting, 3 years ago today, was the worst terrorist attack in our Nation since 9/11. Recall for a moment that, even now, there is no Federal law to ban LGBTQ discrimination. The House passed the Equality Act, but the Senate has refused to bring the legislation to the floor for a vote. Yet in spite of these challenges, there are still places in America that are meant to be safe havens. The Pulse nightclub was such a place, a place where patrons could, as my bishop put it, enjoy a late night fellowship. The victims of Pulse were not in the wrong place at the wrong time. They had every right to be there. And while Congress continues to offer thoughts and prayers, the victims were gunned down while they celebrated birthdays and family and friendships. Let me remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle what the Bible says. It says that ``faith without works is dead.'' Today we remember the victims, but their stories did not end in the early morning hours 3 years ago. The memories of those who died live on in our hearts, and the struggles and triumphs of the survivors are ever before us. Some survivors suffered severe injuries. Others were not physically injured but still carry the invisible wounds of that tragic moment. One survivor, Orlando Torres, said that the mental scars are never forgotten.…”