Tim Kaine: “I rise to talk about a sad tragedy that occurred in Virginia on May 31--the shooting deaths of 12 individuals in…”

“I rise to talk about a sad tragedy that occurred in Virginia on May 31--the shooting deaths of 12 individuals in Virginia Beach. It was a Friday. I was in Virginia Beach that day having meetings in the community on the boardwalk at a hotel with the Old Dominion Bar Association. It was a meeting about sea level rise with interested constituents. I had just left Virginia Beach to drive back to my home, and after I left, within a couple of hours, I got word about a shooting at the Virginia Beach City Hall. This is a city hall I know well. I was the mayor of Richmond and used to work closely with the mayor of Virginia Beach at that time. I also tried cases in the courthouse right there near Virginia Beach City Hall when I served as a private attorney in private practice. I rise to talk about these 12 victims but also talk about my hope that the Virginia Beach shooting will lead us to stop being bystanders and take meaningful action to reduce gun violence. If I could say a few words about each of the 12 individuals who were killed at Virginia Beach: Laquita Brown was a 4-year employee of the department of public works. She was known for her love of travel, her friends, and her ability to light up a room with her presence. Ryan Keith Cox was a 12-year employee of the city. He had worked with the department of public utilities, was known for his kindness and beautiful singing voice.…”