Designation of National Pulse Memorial

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, nearly 3 years ago, on this date, we lost 49 angels and 53 others were injured. Family and friends grieved for their loved ones and our Orlando community mourned. But we came together, stronger than ever before, to heal, to comfort each other, to overcome this tragedy, and, most importantly, to give back.

As Orlando Strong, we swore, as a community, to never forget those who we lost that night--their stories, their images, their memories, and their spirits--which live on in our hearts and our memories. We can never forget this tragic act of hate against the LGBTQ and Latinx community: our community. We continue to reject these despicable acts of hate.

To honor the fallen and the survivors of this tragedy, I joined with my colleagues, Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings, to introduce landmark legislation to designate the Pulse nightclub as a federally recognized national memorial site. This designation gives these hallowed grounds the national recognition it deserves, while serving as a reminder that love overcomes hate.

Let the Pulse memorial become a symbol of hope, love, and continued light for our community. We will always remember the 49 angels:

Edward Sotomayor, Jr.

Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velazquez

Stanley Almodovar, III

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado

Javier Jorge-Reyes

Shane Evan Tomlinson

Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo

Juan Ramon Guerrero

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz

Luis S. Vielma

Kimberly Morris

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice

Darryl Roman Burt, II

Deonka Deidra Drayton

Anthony Luis Laureano Disla

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon

Amanda Alvear

Martin Benitez Torres

Jerald Arthur Wright

Cory James Connell

Brenda Lee Marquez McCool

Christopher Andrew Leinonen

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala

Luis Daniel Conde

Leroy Valentin Fernandez

Jason Benjamin Josaphat

Frank Hernandez

Akyra Murray

Mercedez Marisol Flores

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez

Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez

Oscar A. Aracena-Montero

Enrique L. Rios, Jr.

Miguel Angel Honorato

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez

Juan Chevez-Martinez

Tevin Eugene Crosby

Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz

Paul Terrell Henry

Joel Rayon Paniagua

Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez

Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan

Angel L. Candelario-Padro

Antonio Davon Brown

Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, and

Alejandro Barrios Martinez

Just think about how long it took me to reference all those names. It gives you just a glimpse of the carnage and the death that happened that day, but we will always remember them.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, there is something rotten in the city of Washington. There is an injustice brewing in this Capitol. And there is a sinister plot afoot in this Congress.

On the one hand, we have the people's House, the House of Representatives, where we are working every day and passing major legislation--our For the People Agenda--and, on the Senate side, we see something very different--inaction, stagnancy. In essence, they are doing nothing.

Our For the People House is passing laws that combat corruption in D.C. and strengthen election security. Our For the People House is lowering prescription drug prices. Our For the People House is passing the Equality Act, Dream Act, universal background checks, and others.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source