TRENTON – Led by State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, the New Jersey Senate today honored the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting that took place in Orlando, Fla., on June 12, 2016. Below are Senator Ruiz’s full remarks delivered today in the Senate Chamber:
“Today I rise to bring attention to a horrible tragedy, but more so to honor 49 beautiful lives that were lost.
“Members in this chamber are wearing Pride ribbons in support of the people of Orlando and of the loved ones of the victims of the tragic massacre that took place at the Pulse nightclub more than a week ago.
“This was the largest mass shooting in the history of the United States and a senseless tragedy that took the lives of dozens of young people far too soon. Today, we honor those lives.
“I am also wearing this ribbon for two specific reasons.
“The details are still emerging about this tragedy, but we know this was a crime motivated by hate. We have to stand up against hate, in whatever form it comes in. Today, we are doing that – we are standing in solidarity with the people of Orlando and the LGBT community to say that, together, we will overcome prejudice and hate.
“Attorney General Loretta Lynch visited Orlando this week, and she said it best:
“We stand with you to say that the good in this world far outweighs the evil, that our common humanity transcends our differences, and that our most effective response to terror and to hatred is compassion, it’s unity, and it’s love…We stand with you today as we grieve together, and long after the cameras are gone, we will continue to stand with you as we grow together in commitment, in solidarity, and in equality.”
“Second, I am wearing this ribbon to make a strong statement that it is time to act. As a nation, we can no longer continue to merely engage in discussion in the aftermath of tragedy, and then go back to business as usual. We have to step up as a country and address gun violence in a meaningful way. We have to pass and enact commonsense solutions that will reduce gun violence. And we must also remember that in many communities, this is a daily occurrence.
“Mr. President, today in honor of the 49 lives that were lost, I would like to read aloud their names and ages:
Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Amanda Alvear, 25 years old
Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old
Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old
Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old
Cory James Connell, 21 years old
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old
Frank Hernandez, 27 years old
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old
Kimberly Morris, 37 years old
Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 years old
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old
Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old.
“Thank you.”