Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Five years ago, 49 people were murdered in a violent, hate-filled, mass shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, the Pulse nightclub. I thank Congressman Soto for his leadership and our colleagues, Congresswoman Murphy and Congresswoman Demings. I, too, had the opportunity to go to the site and to read the beautiful notes written about the young lives that were taken that night, and the very special place that Pulse was. I was, in fact, in Florida this weekend with Barbara Poma, the owner of the Pulse nightclub, who was leading an effort to turn this site into not only a sacred place, but a museum. I shared with her what for young LGBTQ people nightclubs were and still are, a place of sanctuary, a safe place where people can be themselves where they go to dance, to be with friends, and to share a sense of community. That was all shattered by the brutality of the events of the evening in which this occurred. This shooting was an act of terror and an act of hate. It left the Nation really grasping for answers. In the days that followed, we heard stories of incredible courage, bravery, and resolve. But mostly, there was unspeakable pain for those who lost someone in this attack. Although I pray that the passage of 5 years has brought some measure of relief, the truth is that their pain will never fully go away. It is critical to designate this memorial today so that our country never forgets those who were lost.…”