National Pulse Memorial

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 49) to designate the National Pulse Memorial located at 1912 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32806, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 49

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL PULSE MEMORIAL.

(a) In General.--The Pulse Memorial located at 1912 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32806, is designated as the ``National Pulse Memorial''.

(b) Effect of Designation.--The national memorial designated by this section is not a unit of the National Park System and the designation of the National Pulse Memorial shall not require or permit Federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to that national memorial.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise, along with Representative Demings and Representative Murphy from central Florida, in strong support of our bill, H.R. 49.

Nearly 5 years ago, 49 angels lost their lives and 53 others were injured when a deranged gunman opened fire at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

You can see here photos of those who we lost, lives cut short.

This horrific act of hate and terror against our LGBTQ and Latino community, African-American community, and Anglo community could have divided us, but we came together stronger than ever before.

Orlando swore as a community to never forget those we lost that night. Their stories, their images, their memories, and their spirits must live on in our hearts.

We were all there for vigils in Orlando, where the bell rang 49 times for those angels we lost, and I am honored to say, across this Nation and all 50 States, and many countries, we saw vigils also recognizing it, which is why it is so critical that this is a national memorial, because it was truly a national and international tragedy.

To honor the fallen and survivors of this tragedy, I join my colleagues to introduce landmark legislation to designate the Pulse nightclub as a federally recognized national memorial site. This designation as a nonaffiliated National Park Service national memorial would not require Federal funds, but it would honor the 49 lives taken on June 12, 2016, as well as the survivors, the first responders who so heroically came to the rescue of so many others, and the entire central Florida community.

Together, we will open minds and hearts. We will make the Pulse Memorial a national symbol of hope, love, and change.

I would like to, again, thank my amazing colleagues, Congresswoman Val Demings and Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, for joining me in leading this important legislation, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Westerman from Arkansas, for his bipartisan support.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings).

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano).

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, Chair Takano, for taking the pilgrimage to the Pulse Memorial, along with me and others and listening and paying respects. So I appreciate that.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) for making the pilgrimage and paying his respects at the memorial.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I have no further requests for time, and I would inquire whether my colleague has any remaining speakers on his side.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and our colleagues across the aisle for their bipartisan support of this really important bill for our Nation. I thank also Representatives Demings, Murphy, Cicilline, and Takano for their support here today.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source