On the recordJanuary 12, 2011
I rise with a very heavy heart. Our friend Gabrielle Giffords lies in a hospital bed, fighting desperately for her life. At the same time, dozens are in mourning for those killed in the senseless slaughter, including Judge John Roll and our own Gabe Zimmerman--Congresswoman Giffords' director of public outreach. We join them in a grieving process that is painful beyond words. To those families, particularly that of Gabe's, who reached out in Gabby's voice each and every day, we weep for your loss and know of the constant ache left in your hearts by the sudden loss of those you loved, and we are blessed to join you in the celebration of their lives. As we mourn those who were lost, we triumph, with equal emotion, in miracles. By the mercy of God and the swift hands of our medical heroes, Gabrielle Giffords and many of those wounded by this madman have been saved. When I heard of this tragedy, I immediately asked the question that each of us here must have wondered dozens of times: How could anyone hate or seek to harm this wonderful public servant, this beautiful person, who has never spoken a cross word or shown a downcast expression throughout her time in this great House? Though these answers are painfully slow in coming, I pray her return to the warm embrace of her family will be swift.
