S2660 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 16, 2013 printed materials. We look forward to par- also help coordinate the efforts of other part- United Way of Central Maryland has joined ticipating in the program as it continues to ners donating technology and equipment to their call to help recruit one million readers, grow. ensure smooth coordination into the finished tutors and mentors and will launch a new DLA PIPER library. JRS Architects, Inc. will be donat- volunteer program: Read, Learn, Succeed ing the time required to coordinate the ef- this fall. We look forward to recruiting mem- Financial donation. forts of the partners in the three QZAB-fund- bers of the community to read to young chil- DYSLEXIA TUTORING PROGRAM ed projects. dren to fill in some of the volunteer gaps The mission of The Dyslexia Tutoring Pro- KIRK DESIGNS that exist in many local programs. gram is to provide free screening and reme- Kirk Designs Inc. will design and detail all VPC, INC. dial tutoring for low-income adults and chil- aspects of the library pertaining to selec- Handles all of the production and multi- dren throughout Maryland with dyslexia and tions for, but not limited to, lighting, floor- other language based learning differences. media content creation for Library Project ing, wall and window treatments as well as events. Volunteers take a free 20-hr training course all furnishings while creating a usable and WELLS FARGO in preparation for tutoring. The program exciting space for grades Pre-K through works to achieve the following: (1) Train Eight. Kirk Designs will interface with ven- Wells Fargo is proud to further its commit- teachers in Orton-Gillingham, a proven dors as well as provide and enforce a sched- ment to Baltimore City students by serving method of teaching reading, writing and ule for completion. Kirk Designs will be do- as the Baltimore Elementary and Middle spelling; (2) Tutor students that are accepted nating a substantial design cost for each School Library Project’s Financial Literacy into our program by providing free tutoring; project, approximately $15,000 per library. Partner. Their commitment will include a (3) Provide In-Service Workshops to school $20,000 donation to fund library technology KNOTT MECHANICAL staff to help identify potential students. thereby providing access to a world of infor- Knott Mechanical will provide for modi- ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY mation including www.handsonbanking.com, fications to the libraries’ existing air dis- The Enoch Pratt Free Library will be a the online portal to its free financial lit- tribution systems including installation of eracy program. The company also commits major partner in the library project. Each el- new diffusers and low-pressure ductwork to ementary school library will include an its most valued resource, the time and talent conform with the new designs. Knott Me- of local Wells Fargo team members. Local ‘‘Enoch Pratt Parent Corner’’ with a com- chanical is one of the Baltimore metropoli- puter connecting parents to the Enoch Pratt team members will provide financial literacy tan area’s premier commercial HVAC and to members of the Weinberg Library commu- system. In addition, each library will have a plumbing service providers, serving more permanent loan collection on parenting nities, including teachers, students and their than 150 clients including Johns Hopkins and families. Additionally, through Wells Far- books and other appropriate adult literature. Comcast. Enoch Pratt will also provide four Family go’s Reading First program, team members MARYLAND FOOD BANK Reading Circle programs during the school will read aloud to Pre-K through 1st grade year. This six-week program brings a library Maryland Food Bank is happy to inves- classes to support early childhood literacy professional to the school, with high-quality tigate the implementation of their school and will then donate those books to the li- books and dinner for the group. Enoch Pratt pantry program in each of these school loca- brary. will also provide limited funding for students tions and can also help with summer feeding Mr. CARDIN. I yield the floor. programs when school is out of session. to take public transportation from their The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- homes or from school to the closest Pratt Li- PARKS AND PEOPLE FOUNDATION ator from . brary. Finally, Enoch Pratt Free Library Parks & People will consider each ren- will host students from each school for field ovated library as a potential site for after f school and summer programming. Site as- trips to the central library each year. The COMMEMORATING estimated value of this partnership is $20,000 sessments for the first six libraries could per library, or $80,000 for the first four librar- amount to as much as $2,000 per site, or a SHOOTING ies. total of $12,000. For libraries that are deter- Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I rise to FUND FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE mined to be a fit for an after school or sum- perform a solemn duty today, which is mer program, services provided would range The Fund for Educational Excellence has to commemorate the shooting at Vir- from $5,000–$80,000 per site. The organization worked side by side with Baltimore City is also involved in green initiatives at each ginia Tech of 32 students and faculty Public Schools for over 25 years securing the school including asphalt removal and the members who were killed 6 years ago financial, human, and knowledge resources creation of reading gardens. today and many others who were in- necessary to support policy and practice re- jured: sulting in increased student achievement for RAISING A READER Baltimore City Public School students. On Raising A Reader is partnering with the Ross Alameddine, , this project the Fund serves as the fiscal Weinberg Foundation to provide library Brian Bluhm, Ryan Clark, Austin agent working as an intermediary between project schools with an opportunity to im- Michelle Cloyd, Jocelyne Couture- City Schools and the Harry and Jeanette plement the program in kindergarten class- Nowak, Daniel Alejandro Perez Cueva, Weinberg Foundation to ensure all grant dol- rooms. The partnership covers the cost of , Matthew Gwaltney, lars are allocated to the project appro- training, materials and the financial support Caitlin Hammaren, Jeremy Herbstritt, priately. needed to implement Raising A Reader for Rachael Elizabeth Hill, Emily Hilscher, many of our youngest learners and their HEART OF AMERICA FOUNDATION families. Jarrett Lane, Matthew La Porte, HOA will coordinate the purchasing, sort- STATE OF MARYLAND/MARYLAND STATE Henry Lee, , G.V. ing, cataloging and delivery of brand new li- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Loganathan, Partahi Mamora brary books for each school. In addition, to The State of Maryland, through The Mary- Halomoan Lumbantoruan, Lauren address the fact that as many as 61 percent McCain, Daniel O’Neil, Juan Ramon of children from low income families do not land State Department of Education will have any books in the home, HOA will pro- provide focused technical assistance by Ortiz-Ortiz, Minal Panchal, Erin Peter- vide three books per student for his or her working with the Manager for Library Media son, Michael Pohle, Julia Pryde, Mary home library. This year, HOA will deliver Services for the Baltimore City Public Karen Read, Reema Samaha, Waleed more than 9,800 library books in total and Schools to support the library/media special- Mohammed Shaalan, Leslie Sherman, over 4,800 take home books for the students ists in the Weinberg Library Project schools Maxine Turner, and Nichole White. for this project. with the incorporation of digital resources, the utilization of the MDK12 Digital Library, I read those names to honor those INCITE CREATIVE assistance with professional development who were killed and had their lives The firm’s focus group facilitation with needs, and with collection development. snuffed out on April 16, 2007. I acknowl- students and their parents helped guide their MSDE staff will also facilitate linkages with edge also that many students and fac- design and development of the Library public libraries to promote professional de- ulty members were injured. We have Project’s logo and overall identity. velopment opportunities and broaden access with us today both family members of JRS ARCHITECTS, INC to materials. During the transition to the those who are deceased and even some JRS Architects, Inc., as a consultant to new Maryland State Common Core Cur- students who were injured. I also honor riculum, MSDE staff will commit time and Baltimore City Public Schools, will work all in the Hokie, the Virginia Tech closely with Kirk Designs to incorporate the energy to supporting the work of the library/ media center specialists in providing assist- community that is very close, that elements of the concept plan into the archi- still suffers the wounds from this hor- tectural plans, including coordination of pro- ance to teachers who are engaged in inte- posed lighting and technology with elec- grating primary resources into their lessons. rible shooting. trical and data plans, incorporation of floor, UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MARYLAND In the aftermath of the shooting at wall and window treatments into the con- As part of United Way Worldwide’s effort Virginia Tech 6 years ago today, we struction documents. JRS Architects will to cut the high school dropout rate in half, learned a lot. We learned that we have

VerDate Mar 15 2010 23:39 Apr 16, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16AP6.004 S16APPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with SENATE April 16, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2661 to make fixes to the mental health sys- killed because he bravely waited for Monday for most, I know he walked tem: that school security and safety is the other students to go out the win- into his class thinking about Yom incredibly important, that alert sys- dow first. HaShoah, perpetrators, victims, by- tems that can notify people when bad What heroism and bravery. Yet the standers, and heroes. He made a deci- things happen are incredibly impor- Liviu Librescu story is even more pow- sion, in the split second he heard shots tant. We also learned a tragic but im- erful than that because Liviu Librescu, being fired, to be a hero and to save portant lesson; that is, background the professor, was 76 years old—long others’ lives. record checks make us safer. The past retirement age. He had continued He survived , per- young, troubled individual with no to teach because he loved teaching. petrated by Nazi , and anti- criminal record who committed those He was born in 1930 in . Semitism in Romania. He survived the horrible crimes had a long history of When the Romanian Government be- persecution perpetrated in his country mental illness. He had been adju- came allied with Nazi Germany in 1940, by the Soviet Union. However, Liviu dicated mentally ill and dangerous. Be- because he was Jewish and his family Librescu could not survive the epi- cause of that adjudication, he was not was Jewish, he was subjected to the demic of gun violence in this country, supposed to be able to own or purchase persecution in Romania were sub- the country which he adopted and weapons, but a flaw in the background jected to, his family was sent into loved. record check system kept that record forced labor camps, and Liviu Librescu In conclusion, I would encourage all from being entered into the national lived in a crowded ghetto in a Roma- of us to take a minute, Senators, staff, database. So when he decided and went nian city, being persecuted, but he pages, people in the gallery, members to purchase the weapons he used in came through the Holocaust as a sur- of the press, take a moment and ask committing this horrible homicide, he vivor. Many Jews, after the war, left yourselves would you do what Liviu was allowed to purchase them. Romania because of the persecution of Librescu did. Would you put your body In the immediate aftermath of the Jews, but it was Liviu Librescu’s home, against a door, allow yourself to be shooting, with the strong support of and he stayed. He went to a university, shot, and encourage others to be safe? the Virginia Tech families, we fixed and he became a world-renowned aero- Would you do that? Would we do this? that problem in the background record space engineer, and he continued to As I thought about this question, check. As Governor, I worked with my teach. being honest, I would say I hope I But now Romania fell under the in- Republican attorney general, the cur- would do that. I pray if it comes to fluence, as a puppet state, of the Soviet rent Governor of Virginia, Bob McDon- that I would act to protect others Union. He would not pledge allegiance nell. We fixed the background record ahead of myself. to the Communist Party. He would not check system that facilitated this If I am honest with myself, what I relinquish his tie to his Judaic faith. gruesome crime. Background records have to say is I don’t know whether I Because of that, he began to be sub- checks make us safer. The better the would do that. I don’t know whether I jected to persecution for a second time, system, the safer we are. would be a hero like Liviu Librescu. I I later went to my legislature and to be persecuted because of his reli- don’t know if I would have the courage gion, to be denied the ability to publish tried to get them to fix the background to do what Liviu Librescu did. articles or travel to academic con- record check in another way—by clos- The good news for those of us who ferences. Eventually, he lost his job at ing the gun show loophole, to require have the honor and blessing to serve in the university because of his Judaism records checks at gun shows. I failed in this Chamber is we do not need to put and because he was unwilling to take that task. I not only could not con- our body in front of bullets to keep the oath of allegiance to the Com- vince my legislature to do it, I could people safe. We do not need to put our munist Party. bodies in front of bullets to protect not even convince a single committee He was persona non grata in his home kids and protect students. All we need to report a bill out to the floor. country of Romania. However, people That is why I am so glad we are de- to do is have an infinitesimal portion in the outside world who knew of his bating on the floor meaningful fixes to of the courage Liviu Librescu had and scholarship never let go, and they con- cast votes. We need to cast votes on gun violence, including a fix to our tinued to speak on Liviu Librescu’s be- background record check system when half. He was eventually allowed, in the floor of this body to keep our com- it comes to gun shows or online pur- 1977, to emigrate to Israel. munity safer and to keep our children chases. I look forward to the debate, He lived in Israel for 8 years and re- safer. and I look forward to supporting the ceived a 1-year teaching fellowship at I have heard it said this will be a proposals that have been advanced by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. He hard vote. For 20 years there has not Senators MANCHIN and TOOMEY. came for 1 year and never left. He been a meaningful discussion of these I read the names, the 32 names of taught as a popular teacher and re- issues on the floor of the Senate be- those who were killed. As I conclude, I searcher in Blacksburg, VA, from 1985 cause interests are too powerful, the wish to take a couple of minutes to tell until the day he was killed in 2007. NRA is too powerful. It will be a vote the story of one of the individuals. This horrible day, April 16, 2007, which will be scored, and we need to I read the name of Liviu Librescu, started as a normal Monday for vir- worry about it. It will take courage. It who was a professor at Virginia Tech, a tually everyone who ended up sharing does not take courage, to any degree, professor of engineering. He was teach- the tragic fate. It was not a normal when we think about Liviu Librescu, ing a course in Norris Hall on the day day. It did not start as a normal day who saved his students. of this horrible tragedy, and as shots for Liviu Librescu. Liviu Librescu, as a Last week I met the daughter of rang out, he heard the shots. He went proud Jew, observed that day, from Mary Sherlach, who was the guidance to the door, and he barricaded the door sundown on the 15th of April, the counselor in Sandy Hook who ran to with his own body, and on the second evening before, until sundown on the save her students and was killed. When floor of Norris Hall, he told his stu- 16th of April, as Yom HaShoah, Holo- we think about the courage and her- dents to get out of the window and get caust and Heroism Memorial Day. oism shown by these individuals, what to the ground and get to safety. He Yom HaShoah, in the Jewish religion we are being asked to do on the floor of stood there against the door as Seung- since 1953, has been a day worldwide this body is the least we can do. Hui Cho, the shooter, fired repeated where Jews and their allies remember It is about heroism. We honor heroes rounds through the door, striking his the Holocaust, perpetrators, victims, such as Liviu Librescu. The people who body many times and eventually kill- and the bystanders—the bystanders put us in office expect us to have at ing him. But not until the last shot who wouldn’t do anything to stop the least a small measure of courage, a when he was killed did he stop saying atrocity. small measure of heroism. We owe it to to the students: Hurry. You have time. They also remember the heroism of those students and others who were You can get out of the window. And all those who fought against the Holo- shot, killed, and wounded at Virginia but one of Liviu Librescu’s students caust. Tech. We owe it to the people who were were able to get out of the window. One As Professor Librescu went to his killed or wounded in Newtown. I would student, Minal Panchal, ended up being class on this day, while it was a normal ask all my colleagues to reflect upon

VerDate Mar 15 2010 23:39 Apr 16, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16AP6.005 S16APPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S2662 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 16, 2013 the example of Professor Librescu and legislation I have been working on for how this amendment will infringe upon the heroism he showed as we debate some time. I know Senator KAINE has this right. I couldn’t disagree more. what might be a controversial proposal supported this as well. The issue is to This has been a common refrain on this week. look at campus safety. It has been one both sides of the aisle since we started Again, the blessing we have as Sen- of the top priorities of those victims of this conversation in December after ators is that we do not have to inter- the Virginia Tech massacre. the tragic events in Newtown. pose our bodies in the way of violence Those families who have spoken with If we are serious about achieving this to make a difference and make people me repeatedly, and with Senator KAINE goal, the Manchin-Toomey amendment safer. It is my wish we do that as we as well, said let’s at least make sure, if achieves a thoughtful, effective, and debate and vote in the coming days. a tragic event takes place on a college balanced approach to achieving our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- campus somewhere in America, there background check system. It strength- ator from Virginia. are ways we can learn from these trag- ens the instant check system of all Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, let me edies. States to put their information into first say I also am on the floor because So the CAMPUS Safety Act, which is the NICS, the National Instant Back- today is April 16, the sixth anniversary embedded in this legislation, will bring ground Check System. One of the out- of the horrible shootings at the campus together research and resources on growths we saw after the horrible trag- of Virginia Tech. I think every Vir- campus safety to strengthen training edy at Virginia Tech was so many ginian and every American—I can say and improve collaboration. Today, States, while they may have collected Virginians at least—remember when campus public safety officers are the this information, didn’t even put it we first received those news reports of only first responders who don’t have into the national database. the violence perpetrated by Seung-Hui access to Federal support to assist in One other amendment Senator Cho. sharing the best practices, relevant re- TOOMEY put forward would establish a I say to my colleague and friend, the search, and training opportunities. national commission on mass violence Senator from Virginia, in the 33 years The CAMPUS Safety Act, which re- to study all the causes of mass violence we have known each other I have val- ceived bipartisan support in the com- in our country, including school safety, ued his friendship and appreciate his mittee markup, seeks to address this mental health, issues about firearms, intellect, grace, and knowledge. There by consolidating scattered Federal ef- and also issues around some of the im- was never a moment I was prouder of forts into a national center for campus ages all of us and our children are ex- then-Governor than those public safety housed within the Depart- posed to in television and film. moments after the tragedy. ment of Justice. This Center would not This amendment, combined with pro- I don’t know if in his comments he only provide a one-stop repository of visions to prevent gun trafficking and noted he had been on a trade mission in relevant research but also examples of our proposal to improve campus safety, Asia when these incidents happened. best practices. It would have an ability represents a reasonable path forward. He barely had landed when he turned to issue grants to colleges, univer- In our efforts to reduce violence—as around—he and his wife Anne—boarded sities, and nonprofit organizations to Senator KAINE has so eloquently stat- a plane and came back with virtually strengthen efforts to help make our ed—we are trying to ensure we don’t no rest. As a Governor you bear these campus community safer. have to create the kinds of heroes responsibilities in remarkable ways This kind of planning and training which took place 6 years ago on the when Virginians are hurt, and in those will help prevent future violence on our campus of Virginia Tech. days he spoke for all of us. campuses and will help improve re- Let me also add, as I am sure all my The words he said at the Virginia sponses in the event of another horrific colleagues will express, our hearts go Tech campus in the ceremony after- outbreak of violence on our campus or out to the families of the victims of the ward brought together the community other university. I am pleased our bi- most recent tragedy which took place and brought together our Common- partisan CAMPUS Safety Act is in- in Boston. I think I can relate, as a wealth. In many ways he spoke for our cluded in the discussions we are having former resident of Boston—and I know whole Nation, as he has so eloquently in this body in the coming days and Senator KAINE, former Governor KAINE, spoken this morning. I thank him for weeks. then-law student TIM KAINE—he and I what he did as a Virginian in those I wish to take a moment to speak first met at a law school in Boston—re- days afterward and thank him for the about a specific aspect of this debate membering Patriots’ Day in Boston, eloquent comments he made this morn- which will, I imagine, be coming up for when even if you were not going to run ing. a vote in the next few days. I stand be- in the marathon, the kind of joy that In the aftermath of the tragedy at fore my colleagues to say a few words swept through Boston on Patriots’ Virginia Tech, under the leadership of in support of the Manchin-Toomey Day. We all know Boston will be back. Governor KAINE, Virginia acted. We amendment we will most likely vote on We all saw those images yesterday of were within the legislature able to this week. Both Senators Manchin and the horrific tragedy. close the legal loophole which allowed Toomey have shown courage in work- I talked to a friend whose wife had Cho, who had been adjudicated men- ing together on what Senator KAINE literally finished the race 4 minutes be- tally unsound, we closed the loophole said is a difficult issue. I support the fore the bombing took place. If she had so he could no longer—or someone who bipartisan compromise on background finished 4 minutes later, he or his had been adjudicated in such a way—be checks they proposed. daughter or his wife might have been able to purchase firearms. In the after- Their amendment will strengthen our one of the victims of that tragedy. I math of the tragedy, then-Governor background check system, close the know, as a father, I called my daugh- KAINE appointed a nationally respected gun show loophole, and prohibit the ters last night to try to enforce how commission of experts to recognize commercial sale of guns to those who much I love them, how valuable life is, what happened and recognize ways we are seriously mentally ill or have a and how at any moment, whether in a might make all our colleges and uni- criminal record. Let me also say their classroom in Virginia Tech or running versities safer. amendment also contains appropriate the Boston Marathon, life can be This leads me to some of my com- exemptions so responsible gun owners snuffed out. ments this morning. We are about to will still be allowed to make direct I agree with Senator KAINE that in take on a debate around how we keep transactions between family and the coming days and weeks, as we have America and Americans safer in a way friends to ensure a father or grand- this debate, we are not going to be that also respects our constitutional father could pass that shotgun along to asked to make acts of courage; we are amendment of the right to keep and their son or daughter. simply going to be asked to do our job. bear arms. Our shared goal is to ensure we keep I believe the Manchin-Toomey amend- An underlying amendment of the bill guns out of the hands of the wrong peo- ment and the CAMPUS Safety Act are we are about to debate has at least one ple while respecting the basic constitu- part of our role and responsibility in part of the legislation which is rel- tional right to bear arms. I have been doing our job, and I hope we will be atively noncontroversial, a piece of disappointed by some who said some- able to act on that matter.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 23:39 Apr 16, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16AP6.006 S16APPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with SENATE April 16, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2663 With that, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Manchin-Toomey bill. They must not The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. objection, it is so ordered. be telling him what he wants to hear. HIRONO). The Senator from Texas. f They don’t have the votes for back- f ground checks even though the Vice CONCLUSION OF MORNING BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS President has reportedly stated that BUSINESS the opposition to the proposal comes Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, yes- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under only from the ‘‘black helicopter’’ terday afternoon we were reminded the previous order, morning business is crowd. that America faces determined enemies closed. Well, it doesn’t come from that willing to engage in barbaric acts f point. against innocent civilians—men, The Manchin-Toomey amendment women, and children. On Patriots’ SAFE COMMUNITIES, SAFE would impose new obligations on law- Day—a day that has always been a SCHOOLS ACT OF 2013 abiding gun owners. It would do so celebration of American heritage and even though expanding gun background American freedom—terrorist bombings The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will re- checks would have done nothing to took the lives of at least three people stop Newtown or other mass killings. standing near the finish line of the sume consideration of S. 649, which the clerk will report. It would do so even though expanding Boston Marathon, including an 8-year- background checks would do nothing old boy. His name was Martin Richard. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: to prevent these killings in the future. He was watching runners complete the I often quote the Deputy Director of race alongside his family. His mother A bill (S. 649) to ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a fire- the National Institute of Justice, who and his sister also sustained injuries, recently wrote that background checks along with more than 150 other people. arm are listed in the national instant crimi- could work only if they were universal We still don’t know who is respon- nal background check system and require a sible for this terrible atrocity, but we background check for every firearm sale, and and were accompanied by gun registra- for other purposes. do know the people of Boston re- tion. Of course, most Members of the sponded to this attack with courage Pending: Senate oppose gun registration. They and compassion. As the smoke rose, Manchin amendment No. 715, to protect know what has happened historically the American people saw their fellow Second Amendment rights, ensure that all with gun registration. In other coun- citizens running toward—not away but individuals who should be prohibited from tries it has led to gun confiscation, and toward—the scene of the blast. From buying a firearm are listed in the National Members of the Senate—but more im- Instant Criminal Background Check System, the police officers and the first re- portantly, lots of people appearing at and provide a responsible and consistent our town meetings—fear that could sponders who secured the bomb site background check process. and loaded the injured into ambulances happen and don’t want to go down that to the marathon participants who lit- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under road. erally ran to hospitals to donate blood, the previous order, the time until 12:30 Supporters of the background check to the doctors and other medical pro- p.m. will be for debate only. amendment claim that it strengthens fessionals who performed emergency The Senator from Iowa. the rights of gun owners; but, in fact, it lifesaving treatments on the victims, Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am does not. The fact is the opposite is to the Boston area residents who glad we are proceeding on this very im- true. Opposition to the amendment opened their homes to those who had portant legislation. The American peo- does not come from the fringe elements been left stranded, this attack brought ple might be wondering why the Senate of society. In fact, one of the reasons out the very best in our country. has not been voting on any amend- the Senate has not voted on the In fact, in the immediate aftermath ments to the pending gun legislation. amendment is the widespread opposi- of the bombing, so many people rushed The Senate voted on Thursday to tion to the amendment from many to donate blood, the Red Cross literally proceed to the bill. This followed calls quarters. If only fringe elements had had to turn them away. Dr. Richard that the Senate should debate the bill, problems with it, we would be voting Wolfe, the head of the emergency medi- and that is why I said I am glad we are on this amendment. So keep watching. cine department at Beth Israel Dea- getting to it. There has been very little If we do not vote on the Manchin- coness Medical Center, called it ‘‘the debate. The President has said various Toomey amendment, it means the pro- smoothest sort of handling of mass cas- proposals deserve a vote. We, on this ponents of that idea know they don’t ualty I’ve ever seen in my career’’— side of the aisle, don’t intend to stand have the votes to pass it. If we turn to something I hope none of us have to see in the way of proceeding on those assault weapons or magazines, then it again. votes, particularly on the amendments. is clear to all that the majority knows This Chamber has spent the last 4 So I hope we are able to vote very soon. it is far from the number of votes they months, and even years before that, de- Last week Senator MANCHIN and Sen- need. I think people are going to be bating issues such as taxes, spending, ator TOOMEY unveiled an amendment waiting while they try to pick up the and health care. But the No. 1 responsi- on background checks. The media votes that will probably never be there. bility of the Federal Government is to hailed the agreement as a way to pass Meanwhile, on this side of the aisle, keep the American people safe and se- gun control. The majority announced our caucus hopes to have their amend- cure. Our response to this attack must that the Manchin-Toomey amendment ments considered soon and to vote on be firm and unequivocal. We must send would be the first one we vote on. those amendments. Our amendments, a clear message that we will never Since we are just starting the debate unlike the Manchin-Toomey amend- compromise our values or our freedom now, obviously we have not voted on ment, will actually strengthen the Sec- in the face of terrorist violence. We the amendment. ond Amendment rights of law-abiding must stay on the offensive against the We have not voted because despite gun owners and help thwart gun vio- enemies of civilization and remain claims from the other side, background lence by criminals. In fact, there are vigilant in our day-to-day lives. The checks are not and never have been the reports that the other side of the aisle victims of Boston deserve nothing less. sweet spot of the gun control debate. I yield the floor, and I suggest the ab- wants to block one of our amendments sence of a quorum. We have not voted on it because sup- which would do exactly that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The porters don’t have the votes to pass So that is the situation. Maybe there clerk will call the roll. it—at least at this point that is the are leaders around here who would dis- The legislative clerk proceeded to way it appears to me—and I think they pute me, but that is the way I see it. call the roll. know it. The majority doesn’t have the votes to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. They don’t have the votes even pass their amendment, so we are not SCHATZ). The Senator from Iowa. though published reports indicate that voting. The majority wants to block Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask Vice President BIDEN, the President of Republican amendments that they fear unanimous consent that the order for the Senate, has been calling Senators would pass, so we are not voting on the the quorum call be rescinded. and asking them to support the Republican amendments either.

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