In A Speech On The Senate Floor, Durbin Honors The Two National Guard Members Who Were Shot In DC Before Thanksgiving
On the Senate floor, Durbin offered condolences to Specialist Sarah Beckstrom’s family who tragically passed away, and prayed for Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe’s recovery
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor to honor the two National Guard members who were shot in Washington, DC, last week. During his speech, Durbin remembered 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom who tragically passed away on Thanksgiving Day. He also prayed for 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe’s recovery. Staff Sergeant Wolfe remains in critical condition.
“We pray for his [Staff Sergeant Wolfe’s] recovery and—as one nation—send our deepest condolences to the Beckstrom family,” said Durbin. “Now whether or not you agree with [sending] National Guard troops to Chicago or Washington, D.C., or any other place, that is really beside the point. We should make a note today that this is really an acknowledgement of the importance of the National Guard to America's defense at home and abroad many times.”
Durbin continued, “There must be a full investigation into the attack on [Specialist] Sarah Beckstrom and [Staff] Sergeant Andrew Wolfe.”
Durbin concluded, “I implore the President to lower the temperature on political rhetoric and try not to exploit this [tragedy] to demonize immigrants, including many who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Instead, the President should work with Congress on common-sense and evidence-proven strategies to reduce crime and reform our broken immigration system. My wife and I send our deepest condolences to the Beckstrom family, and we pray Staff Sergeant Wolfe makes a full, speedy recovery.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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