Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Hails Bill Signing Designating Pulse National Memorial
DATE: June 25, 2021
CONTACT: laura.brantley@mail.house.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Hails
Bill Signing Designating Pulse National Memorial
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus hails President Biden's historic bill signing, which designates the Pulse Nightclub as a national memorial five years after the tragedy in Orlando, Florida.
"Five years ago, 49 people were murdered in a violent, hate-filled, mass shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando. People were attacked at a place where they came to be with friends, to dance, to share a sense of community. The passage of this bill will not bring back those we lost but it will make it clear that their lives mattered and that we should never forget what we endured as a community. I thank Caucus Vice Chair Darren Soto and many other Members of our Caucus for their leadership in making today a reality and we thank President Biden for signing this bill into law," said Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01).
"Remembering the tragedy at Pulse Orlando is even more painful because it happened during Pride – when we should all feel safe celebrating who we are. But we can't forget or be numb," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18). "Today, I was proud to stand with President Biden as he signed legislation to make the site a national memorial. We must remember and honor the lost as we recommit to building a world free from gun violence."
"5 years ago this month, our nation was devastated by the brutal and senseless killing of 49 innocent people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Today, we will sign the Pulse Nightclub Memorial Bill into law to honor the victims of this unspeakable tragedy," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02). "We must keep up the fight to end perpetual violence against our LGBTQ+ communities and gun violence in America."
"By designating Pulse Nightclub as a National Memorial Site, we can always remember the vibrant lives of those who were taken from us far too soon," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Mark Takano (CA-41). "This memorial will serve as a reminder that we cannot stop fighting for equality and safety for LGBTQ+ people. Thank you to President Biden for signing this important legislation into law during Pride month."
"Five years after the deadliest attack against the LGBTQ community in our nation's history, our hearts still ache for the lives lost at Pulse Nightclub," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Angie Craig (MN-02). "Today, we honor their memories by signing into law a bill establishing the National Pulse Memorial in honor of the 49 Americans we lost that night. It was a solemn honor to help pass this long overdue law – which I pray will help us continue to heal from this senseless tragedy."
"I remember exactly where I was in 2016 when the world learned of the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in history. Today, I stood alongside survivors in solemn remembrance of the 49 lives lost at Pulse Nightclub as the President officially designated the site a national memorial, reminding each of us that their memory prevails: love over hate," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Sharice Davids (KS-03). "I am grateful for the leadership of the President and my colleagues during Pride Month as we continue to heal from this tragedy and honor the strength and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community."
"The Pulse nightclub massacre was the deadliest attack on LGBTQ+ people in modern American history. By making Pulse a national memorial, we honor the 49 lives stolen on that day and ensure that this dark moment in our nation's history is never forgotten. As we celebrate Pride month, I was proud to help pass this bill in the House, and I'm honored to join President Biden today as he signs it into law," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Mondaire Jones (NY-17).
"Five years after the senseless tragedy in Orlando Florida, this official designation will forever memorialize the 49 lives lost at Pulse Night Club, and give us a daily reminder that there is much work to do to combat hatred and homophobia in our society. As the first openly-gay Afro-Latino Member of Congress, I am honored to join President Biden as he signs the bill designating the National Pulse Memorial. We will continue to fight for the safety and equal treatment of the LGBTQ community," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Ritchie Torres (NY-15).
Please contact Shawn Gaylord at 202-257-8416 or shawn.gaylord@mail.house.gov with press inquiries.
Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Caucus, which is led by the nine openly LGBTQ+ members of the House of Representatives, is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. and around the world.