(Albany, NY - June 18, 2015) Senator Hamilton stated, "The attack last night against congregants at the historic Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston strikes everyone of good conscience as particularly heinous because we rightly treat houses of worship with reverence - and a place of peace, a place held sacred, a place where worshipers were at prayer, in Bible study, was violated by a hate-filled attacker. An attacker who so cruelly took nine innocents from their friends, families, and community."

Senator Hamilton continued, "We are inspired by the leadership and humanity of the late Reverend Clementa Pinckney, and we strive to carry on his good works and those of the other victims. In this moment of anguish, it is my deepest wish that our thoughts and prayers can in some small measure help to ease the pain of the many victims of this horrific attack."