Jon S. Corzine: “I thank the Chair. I come to the floor today moved by an event that occurred in my life this week and more importantly…”

“I thank the Chair. I come to the floor today moved by an event that occurred in my life this week and more importantly the life of a family in New Jersey. Sometimes there are events that move you to feel passionately. I went to a wake for an officer on Monday night. I actually missed a vote. The reality is that an officer was gunned down a week before by a gang member, a Blood, on the streets of Newark. This police officer was a man with five children. He was 32 years old, the oldest child of 11. Violence brought on by the illegal movement of guns in our society and the irresponsible dealing in guns is something that actually costs people's lives. I have an amendment which I have talked about previously. I am a realist and I know where this amendment is going, so we will deal with it on a practical basis. But my amendment is an effort to protect the rights of law enforcement officers who are victimized by gun violence. I want to make certain that law enforcement officers can seek compensation from gun manufacturers and dealers who participate in arming criminals. I am not a lawyer, so I can't define negligence with the perfection that maybe others can. I know this amendment is not going to pass, and I know this gun industry immunity bill will pass. This is a picture of another officer from Orange, NJ. We have heard a lot about Detective Lemongello and his partner, Officer McGuire. They were shot in 2001.…”