On the recordJune 15, 2016
I appreciate the Senator yielding for a question. I have a number of questions for Senator Murphy. I think you bring up a good point. We have now been at this for about 8\1/2\ hours, and we have seen colleague after colleague. We have worked now through the majority of the Democrats in this caucus who have stood up and asked Senator Murphy question after question. I want to start, before I even give a question, by giving my respect and gratitude to Senator Murphy. In Isaiah, it talks about those who wait on the Lord, running and not getting weary, walking and not being faint. I see the consistency of his efforts, which is not just manifest during this filibuster. He has been on his feet now for 8\1/2\ hours, and it is not just today. Senator Murphy, in his maiden speech here in the Senate, stood right there--I know this because at that time I was still mayor of the city of Newark--and gave, still to this day for me of all the Senate speeches I have heard, probably one of the most eloquent, moving, factual, compelling speeches on gun violence that I have heard. I am grateful today because just yesterday, in a caucus meeting that I think my colleagues who are here will agree got very heated, very emotional, in which he spoke with passion, as did other colleagues, he and I began talking about making sure that this was not business as usual and that we didn't go through the same routines in this body every single time there was a mass shooting.…
