Climate Change

Floor Speech

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Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, 3 years ago on this very date, in my hometown of Las Vegas, a gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel onto the unsuspecting crowd below. This horrific attack lasted just over 10 minutes, but in that brief window of time, 58 innocent lives were taken and over 400 were injured. It was the worst mass shooting in American history. I stand here today to recognize the third anniversary of this act of terror.

I want to speak today about how that October 1 shooting changed Nevada. This mass shooting irrevocably altered the lives of countless families in Las Vegas, NV, and across the country forever.

Many of that night's victims are still dealing with the injuries, visible and not visible. Many are still grieving and working through the effects of this devastating trauma. All of them have suffered through a pain that no family, no friend, no spouse, no child should ever, ever have to endure.

In the 3 years since the shooting, two more victims have passed away due to injuries they sustained that night--1 in 2019 and 1 earlier this year--bringing the number of lives lost up to 60--sons, daughters, parents, friends, neighbors--people who were loved, people who were part of our community, people who were taken from us far too soon, 60 families who will forever have an empty chair at their Thanksgiving table.

Amidst the violence and the terror, there were also heroes who made the choice to run toward danger and help others, like the courageous first responders who risked their lives to provide aid and everyday citizens who helped others escape in their cars.

Nevada remembers October 1 because it showed us the darkest side of humanity, but in the aftermath, it also showed us the brightest and best of who we are.

Today we commemorate the 60 lives that were lost. Today we recognize those who were injured and are still struggling. Today we celebrate. We celebrate the heroism of our community--not just in the immediate aftermath of that attack but in the days, weeks, months, and years since. We saw heroes spring into action that night and the following days to save lives. In the following days, we saw so many members of our community display incredible heroism. Our community lined up to donate blood. They helped to reunite friends and family in the aftermath, and they helped to financially support victims and their families.

The phrase ``Vegas Strong'' came into being after that time, and let me assure you, it is a phrase that could not be more true. The strength of our city is simply astounding. We work to build ourselves back up from crisis, side by side, arm in arm. It has taken time. It hasn't been easy. Even now, we are still not all the way there, but every day, the people of Las Vegas show unparalleled resilience. Nevadans carried that resilience with them. They carry it in every challenge and in every crisis that we face.

I stand here today to honor the men and women who lost their lives on October 1, those who were injured in the attack, and the heroes who helped bring our city back.

I also call on Congress to show the same kind of strength that the people of Las Vegas have shown. Our Nation currently faces many challenges. However, my colleagues must recognize the threat that gun violence poses to our communities. We must honor the memories of those who were lost. We must take commonsense action to reduce gun violence and ensure that more lives aren't lost.

As a legislative body, we must act. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act--a bill passed by the House 582 days ago--has been waiting for a vote here in the Senate. Today, in honor of the memories of the lives that were lost, I request that the Senate bring this bill, this important bill, for a vote.

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