Shooting At Brown University and Shooting in Sydney, Australia
Floor Speech
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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, in Skokie, IL, a few miles north of Chicago, is America's second largest Holocaust museum. Those who visit see thousands of artifacts from victims and survivors and their families. There is one lesson that every visitor takes away: All who walk through its doors learn the importance of tolerance, the need to choose love over hate. I have been reflecting on this lesson in the wake of the two awful acts of violence that took place this past weekend.
On Sunday night, in Australia, hundreds of people gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Two men opened fire on the crowd. The attendees at Bondi Beach were targeted for simply one reason: They were Jewish, and they were out to celebrate their faith.
At least 15 people were killed, and dozens more were injured. I am offering my prayers for the victims and their families. I am thankful for the heroic actions of first responders and civilians to end the gunmen's rampage.
This act of violence is a grim reminder that we cannot stop combating anti-Semitism. This tragedy occurred just hours after Brown University, in Providence, RI, here in the United States, experienced its own mass shooting.
In the aftermath of these two tragedies, I am in awe of the bravery and sacrifice displayed by those caught up in the attacks.
One of them, Ahmed al-Ahmed, tackled one of the shooters at Bondi Beach in Australia, saving countless lives. He is now going through surgery. I wish him a swift recovery.
Another, Spencer Yang, after being shot in the leg, continued to help one of his fellow students at Brown hide from the gunman. To Spencer, too, I wish a full and swift recovery.
Ahmed, Spencer, and countless others should never be put in these unimaginable situations. Yet their selfless acts in the face of such violence are the ultimate demonstration of love--a willingness to risk their own lives to save a stranger.
As we seek to address the scourge of anti-Semitism and gun violence, may we act in the path of these brave upstanders, who in crisis chose humanity and love over violence and hate.
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