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NEW JERSEY SENATE HONORS ORLANDO VICTIMS

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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.”