Moment of Silence in Honor of the Victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings

Floor Speech

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Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, I would like to join Senator Warren and
the rest of the Senate in observing a moment of silence in honor of the
victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

The people of the United States will always remember the victims of
the previous acts of terrorism that have occurred in the United States
and will always stand together as one people. Two years ago today,
three innocent people were killed and hundreds injured in two bombings
that occurred during the running of the 117th Boston Marathon. On the
happiest day in Boston, Patriots' Day, two bombs detonated by the two
evil men took lives, limbs, and livelihoods away. That day, we lost
Martin Richard, an 8-year-old boy from Dorchester; Krystle Campbell,
from Arlington; and Lu Lingzi, who came to the United States from
China; and 232 innocent people were also wounded in the bombings.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Officer Sean Collier, of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology police force, was assassinated by
the two twisted individuals who bombed our city. Officer Collier wasn't
just protecting the best and the brightest minds, he was the best and
brightest, an impressive and loved officer who has been greatly missed
on campus and in our community.

I want to express my deepest thanks to all of the men and women in
law enforcement in Massachusetts and around the Nation for their
unwavering determination, courage, and resolve to bring to justice
those responsible for the Boston Marathon bombings. We were ``Boston
Strong'' because we were Boston ready, with the best training and
personnel available to save lives and to seek justice.

Many others responded decisively: the citizens of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, fire and rescue workers, caregivers, Armed Forces, and
thousands more who, through their many expressions of care and
compassion, brought forth comfort, hope, and the promise of recovery.

Today, under the leadership of Mayor Marty Walsh, the city of Boston
is turning April 15 into a new tradition, honoring the resilience,
generosity, and strength called One Boston Day. As Mayor Walsh said,
``It's a day everyone should come together, spread goodwill throughout
the city and recommit ourselves to our deepest values.''

Mayor Walsh is right. This is a day for the citizens, businesses, and
organizations in the city of Boston to display their humanity and draw
neighbors together.

Thank you, Mayor Walsh, for helping all of us understand that the
compassion and support we all felt that day should never be forgotten
but instead should be a part of our lives every single day.

May the light of One Boston Day shine as an example of how our Nation
responds to times of crisis.

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