On the recordJanuary 12, 2011
I solemnly rise in support of this resolution. We come together today in tribute to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all of the innocent victims of a deranged gunman's actions in Tucson, Arizona. This past weekend, our Nation witnessed a horrifying and tragic act of violence that took the lives of six, and left many others wounded, including our friend and colleague, Gabby. Gabby is one of my closest friends and my thoughts and prayers are with her husband Mark, Gabby's parents, and their family as they struggle to get through this unimaginable tragedy. I pray for her full recovery and the recovery of the other victims of this horrific act of senseless violence. I also pray for the Tucson community and for our Nation. While she and the others wounded in this attack struggle to recover, we pause to honor those we have lost. They were Americans from every walk of life, and from every season in the journey of life. They died exercising freedoms that make this country so special--the freedom to petition their government and speak freely to their elected representatives.
