The events of this week have been filled with tragic reminders of how far we remain from the “more perfect Union” envisioned by our founders.

Our hearts go out today to the victims and the families of those touched by the senseless violence this week in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis, and Dallas.

We know our grief and expressions of sympathy cannot bring back those who’ve been lost; we hope the pain every American feels today will harden into a collective resolve to see that each of us treats all of us with decency and compassion – not just in times of tragedy but in every encounter on every day. Our democratic values are our country’s greatest strength; it is past time to honor them by making sure we live up to its promise.

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