" A resolution recognizing June 12, 2017,
as "Pulse Remembrance Day" in Florida.
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2016, an armed
gunman opened fire at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, senselessly murdering 49 people,
physically wounding 53, and traumatizing thousands, and
WHEREAS, many of the victims and
survivors are from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer
(LGBTQ+) community, and
WHEREAS, Pulse nightclub is an LGBTQ+
establishment; such establishments carry historical significance and
are often recognized as safe havens for the LGBTQ+ community, and
WHEREAS, on that night, communities of
color were disproportionately impacted by that horrific hate crime as
Pulse nightclub was hosting a "Latin Night" celebration,
and
WHEREAS, the attack at Pulse nightclub
has been recognized as the deadliest mass shooting by a single
individual, the most lethal incident of violence against the LGBTQ+
community in United States history and the largest terrorist attack
in the country since 9/11, and
WHEREAS, local, state, and federal law
enforcement personnel performed their duties admirably in the siege
and selflessly risked their lives for the safety of the patrons of
Pulse nightclub, and
WHEREAS, following the attack, the
residents of Orlando and people throughout the state, the nation, and
the world expressed overwhelming support for the victims and their
families, and
WHEREAS, 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 Chavez-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 ears
old; Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old; Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 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. Nieves 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; and Jerald Arthur Wright, 31
years old, tragically lost their lives in that senseless act of
hatred and terrorism, NOW, THEREFORE,
Be It Resolved by the House of
Representatives of the State of Florida:
That June 12, 2017, is recognized as
"Pulse Remembrance Day" in Florida to honor the
memory of the 49 innocent victims who lost their lives at Pulse
nightclub in a senseless act of hatred and terrorism, to support
their families and the survivors, and to acknowledge the compassion
and love that was displayed during the aftermath of that tragedy by
the Central Florida community and people throughout the state, the
nation, and the world. "
Florida House of Representatives, House
Resolution HR 8077, April 27, 2017.
