Earl Blumenauer: “I am saddened that my first appearance before this body is on the occasion of such a hateful event. I think we all had…”

“I am saddened that my first appearance before this body is on the occasion of such a hateful event. I think we all had hoped that this was behind us. But I am heartened by the attitude and tone of love and reconciliation that one hears this evening. I find I must join with the words of my colleague from Georgia. We pray that we are aware of this terror as we go about our business, remembering the power of words and the power of reconciliation, because I think if we remember this somber, yet hopeful moment, as we go about the rest of our business on behalf of the people, that this hateful act of racial intolerance and bigotry will help us do our job better for the American people.”