On the recordJune 13, 2016
I thank Congresswoman Beatty for yielding to me this evening. This is such a sad evening for all of us because of the events in Orlando. I thank her so very much for having the strength to come to the floor tonight to manage the important topic that we are all so concerned about. I thank Congresswoman Robin Kelly for her incredible work chairing the CBC Health Braintrust and all the work she does related to health disparities in this country. I thank all of my colleagues for their tireless work. Before I begin my remarks, let me just say that I sat on the floor a moment ago and listened to Congresswoman Corrine Brown. It was an incredible 1-minute speech she gave. I want to share in her sentiments this evening and align myself with the pain that she and her constituents are facing in Orlando. The mass shootings were absolutely horrific and unthinkable, under any definition. They are just unthinkable. My prayers go out to the families in Orlando for their pain and for all that they are having to endure because of these mass shootings. As someone said a few moments ago, a moment of silence is not enough. It is time for this Congress to act. It is time for this body, Mr. Speaker, to have a serious debate about gun violence and to pass legislation that will deprive people the right to own a high-capacity assault weapon and high-caliber bullets and use them to kill innocent people. Now is the time. 136 mass shootings have taken place during the first 164 days of this year.…
