WASHINGTON D.C. – Yesterday, the House passed a bipartisan resolution (H. Res. 827) by voice vote condemning the attack last month at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.
Congressman Alan Grayson’s district is just a few blocks away from the scene of the worst mass shooting in American history. Rep. Grayson has spent the last month communicating with many families of those murdered by one man with a semi-automatic rifle who was able to mow down 49 human beings within minutes.
The Congressman is pleased that the House could come together to honor the memories of the victims and condemn the violence unleashed on his “City Beautiful.”
Below is the full text that was entered into the Congressional Record:
Condemning the terrorist attack on the Pulse Orlando nightclub, honoring the memory of the victims of the attack, offering condolences to and expressing support for their families and friends and all those affected, and applauding the dedication and bravery of law enforcement, emergency response, and counterterrorism officials in responding to the attack.
RESOLUTION
Condemning the terrorist attack on the Pulse Orlando nightclub, honoring the memory of the victims of the attack, offering condolences to and expressing support for their families and friends and all those affected, and applauding the dedication and bravery of law enforcement, emergency response, and counterterrorism officials in responding to the attack.
Whereas, in the early hours of Sunday, June 12, 2016, a 29-year-old man from Ft. Pierce, Florida, killed 49 and wounded 53 innocent people in a horrific terrorist attack on Pulse
Orlando, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender nightclub, during Latin night;
Whereas the gunman, who was investigated in 2013-2014 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (in this preamble referred to as the `FBI') for possible connections to terrorism, pledged his allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (in this preamble referred to as `ISIL');
Whereas President Barack Obama called the attack an act of both terror and hate as well as an attack on all of the people of the United States and the fundamental values of equality and dignity;
Whereas the attack is the deadliest mass shooting in the modern history of the United States and the worst terrorist attack on United States soil since September 11, 2001;
Whereas the law enforcement professionals of the city of Orlando and Orange County, Florida, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and other emergency and health care professionals responded to the attack bravely and admirably and in a coordinated manner, saving many lives;
Whereas following the attack hundreds of people stood in long lines to donate blood for those injured in the attack, and the people of Orlando, the State of Florida, and the United States expressed overwhelming support for the victims and their families regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or sexual orientation; and
Whereas the threat of terrorist attacks against the United States and the people of the United States persists, including the threat posed by homegrown terrorists inspired by foreign terrorist organizations like ISIL: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House--
(1) condemns the horrific terrorist attack on the Pulse Orlando nightclub on June 12, 2016, in which 49 innocent people were killed and 53 injured;
(2) honors the memory of the victims killed in the attack and offers heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies for their families, loved ones, and friends;
(3) expresses hope for a full and speedy recovery by and pledges continued support for those injured in the attack;
(4) applauds the dedication and bravery of local, State, and Federal law enforcement and counterterrorism officials for their efforts to respond to the attack and secure communities;
(5) stands together with all people of the United States, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or sexual orientation, in the face of terror and hate; and
(6) reaffirms the commitment of the United States and its allies to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other terrorist groups at home and abroad and to address the threat posed by homegrown terrorism.
Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida’s 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk counties.
