Senator Scott Delivers Heartfelt Remarks on the Senate Floor about the Tragedy in Charleston

WASHINGTON, DC – — U.S. Senator Tim Scott’s (R-SC) resolution honoring the nine victims of last week’s shooting in Charleston was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate today. Senator Scott also gave an emotional speech about the tragedy.

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Transcript of Senator Tim Scott’s Speech on the U.S. Senate Floor

Thank you Mr. President

I stand before you today, before the nation, not as a Senator, not as an elected official, but as a humble South Carolinian. The past week has been one of terrible tragedy – and amazing unity.

Last Wednesday night, we experienced an unimaginable tragedy. Nine men and women…nine mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters lost forever.

The hateful and racist actions of one deranged man have changed 9 families forever; it has changed South Carolina forever, Charleston forever.

But, what we saw from the 9 families at last Friday’s bond hearing was simple, it was powerful, and absolutely the best of who we are as Americans.

Just a few minutes ago I was back in the Cloakroom and I had the opportunity to talk to one of the victim’s son, Daniel Simmons Jr. And I was talking to him back there and I said, “Is there anything you want me to share when I go on the floor of the Senate?” He said, “Please, share that God cares for his people. God still lives.”

And I was amazed. And then he said with great enthusiasm and energy, a sense of excitement, that this evil attack would lead to reconciliation, restoration, and unity in our nation.

Those were powerful words.

It is with great sadness and amazing hope that our future as a nation has been changed. It has been changed because one person decided to murder nine. It has been changed because the response of those nine families has been so courageous, so inspiring. And if you will permit me I will read the names of those nine individuals.

We honor the Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, a beloved teacher, coach at Goose Creek High School. Her son Chris has shown us all what an amazing mother she was through his strength over the past six days.

We honor Cynthia Hurd, whose love for education has been shared with so many over her 31 years as a librarian in the public library system.

We honor Susie Jackson, who at 87 years young still offered her beautiful voice to the choir, and had recently returned from visiting her family in Ohio.

We honor Ethel Lee Lance, who served her church with pride, whose daughter calls her the “strong woman who just tried to keep her family together.”

We honor Depayne Middleton-Doctor, who dedicated her life to serving the poor and helping her students as an enrollment counselor at Southern Wesleyan University.

We honor, my good friend, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, an amazing man of faith, a great dad and a wonderful father.

We honor Tywanza Sanders, beloved son of Tyrone and Felicia, whose warmth and heartfelt spirit has kept us moving.

We honor the Reverend Daniel Simmons, Senior, whose granddaughter said, “My granddaddy was an amazing man. It seemed like every time he spoke it was pure wisdom.”

And we honor Pastor Myra Thompson, who served the Lord with grace and dignity. She loved her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

If you would just pause for 9 seconds, a second for each one I would appreciate it.

(Pause)

Thank you.

In closing, I want to thank all of my colleagues in the Senate and in the House for their kind words over the past week, and for the prayers that continue to come into our city from across the nation.

We are Charleston. We are South Carolina. And we are absolutely united.

And we are committed to replacing hate with love, pain with kindness, and ill will and hostility with good will and comfort.

I yield to Senator Graham.

 

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