On the recordDecember 18, 2012
I rise today to offer condolences to the families and the communities of Newtown, CT, and to offer my condolences to the family of Daniel K. Inouye, the Senator from Hawaii. For nearly a week now, my thoughts and prayers have been with everyone in Connecticut and all those families whose lives have been changed by the murders in Newtown. Like so many Americans, Sharla and I continue to struggle with the news. We prayed for lives that were lost and grieved for their families and their loved ones. As a former teacher, but more importantly as a father and grandfather, I can't begin to make sense of the violence, especially against children--children, our future, the same age as my grandkids, exposed to the unthinkable actions of an assassin. No one can make sense out of it. I don't think we ever will. But we can offer hope. We can offer our solidarity as Americans who unify in tragedy to look ahead--shaken with grief but strengthened with courage. In the days and weeks ahead, we will work together to address the unspeakable violence that has hurt our Nation. As a Senator, it is my responsibility to address the growing issue of violence in America, particularly as it applies to schools and public places, and to stand to ensure the safety of our children. While we mourn the deaths of innocent children and their educators, we must bring ourselves together for an honest, real, national conversation about every aspect of this terrible attack.…
