Rep. Pete Aguilar leads moment of silence on House floor for San Bernardino victims

Reporting from Washington —  Much of California’s delegation stood behind Rep. Pete Aguilar on Wednesday as he asked House colleagues for a moment of silence to remember the 14 people killed and 22 wounded in the Dec. 2 attack in San Bernardino.

“We are San Bernardino United,” said Aguilar (D-Redlands).

He asked members to pray for the victims’ families and for a quick recovery for the injured, for the first responders and for the resiliency of San Bernardino.

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“We have said loudly as one community that this tragedy will not define us and it will not divide us. We will not be afraid to come together in fellowship, to work together, to mourn together or to rebuild together. Across faith and across culture, we will support one another in this time of need,” he said.

The chamber was silent for a moment, the gavel struck and then the House members returned to the business of the day.

Members gathered around Aguilar before and after the vote. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) patted him on the back, Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) and Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) chatted with Aguilar near the lectern, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Santa Ana) flexed her bicep as if to demonstrate strength and Reps. Janice Hahn (D-Los Angeles) and Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) gave him hugs.

Aguilar has remained in San Bernardino since the shooting, attending vigils and briefings and talking with families.

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