Senate holds moment of silence and adopts resolution honoring Antioch High School shooting victim

Senator Oliver memorialized a 16-year-old student killed in a school shooting in his district and moved adoption of a Senate joint resolution recognizing the victim.

The remarks and resolution occurred on the Senate floor during the special session. "Last Wednesday, there was a shooting at Antioch High School that occurred in my district," Senator Oliver said, then asked colleagues to honor the life lost and those injured. He named the student as Jocelyn Jeanette Escalante Vega and described her as "more than a 16 year old student in Antioch High School. She was a daughter, a friend, and a young woman filled with dreams and promise." He urged the chamber that "this moment be a call to action. We cannot allow more lives to be taken by senseless gun violence." Senator Oliver closed by asking for a moment of silence.

Senator Reeves, serving as the session chaplain, led a closing prayer following the moment of silence.

After the remarks, Senator Oliver moved adoption of Senate Joint Resolution No. 39; the Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote. The transcript records the motion and a voice vote: "All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. You adopt." The resolution and the moment of silence were taken up as part of the special-session floor proceedings and recorded in the day's actions.

The Senate did not debate policy proposals on gun safety on the floor during this segment; the remarks served as a memorial and a call for action rather than the introduction of specific legislation.

The chamber then returned to its scheduled business.