On the recordFebruary 4, 2021
I thank my friend, the gentlewoman from New York, for organizing tonight and for inspiring rising generations of Americans, including my own daughters, to dream bigger and to do better. I want to start my remarks by addressing those who have belittled, dismissed, minimized, or criticized anyone who has experienced trauma of any type, at any time, in any form. To you, I say I take pity on you, and I say shame on you. I was in this very room on January 6 when the insurrection began. I was 1 of 20 colleagues up in the gallery, just over my shoulder, who had to take cover behind our seats, on the floor, and struggle to activate our gas masks, the whizzing sounds, the collective whizzing sounds in this room, which none of us will ever forget. We know the sound of the breaking glass, of the screams, and of the furniture being moved in front of the doors. We know the feeling of being trapped in this room and believing that being taken hostage may be the best-case scenario. We know what it feels like, searching for something, anything, with which to defend ourselves, and realizing a pencil is about all we had. We know what it feels like thinking that it is a real possibility that we would not see our families and loved ones again. We won't forget. We won't forget. But I am not here this evening to seek sympathy or just to tell my story--rather, to make a public apology.…
