On the recordJanuary 12, 2011
On Saturday, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, along with members of her congressional staff and constituents, were senselessly shot while attending a ``Congress on Your Corner'' event in Tucson. Those killed by the gunman--U.S. District Judge John Roll, Gabe Zimmerman, Christina Green, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Scheck and Dorwin Stoddard--were citizens participating in the democratic process, meeting and speaking with their Member of Congress. Like everyone else, I was shocked by the news. This kind of deadly violence shakes a community and a nation to its core. The rapid, life-saving action of Tucson's emergency responders and medical professionals and the acts of courage displayed by those at the event do, however, serve to remind us that the kindness of the human spirit can fight back in even the darkest of moments. My thoughts and prayers are with all those in Tucson, in particular the families of those who were injured or killed, and especially with my friend and outstanding colleague in the House, Gabrielle Giffords. In the four years I have served with Congresswoman Giffords, she has been a stalwart supporter of her district, her State and America's interests at home and abroad. It is impossible not to admire her commitment to the job of Representative and the passion with which she pursues her interests and policy agenda.
