Erik Paulsen: “I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I also want to thank my colleague from Florida for her leadership, along with…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I also want to thank my colleague from Florida for her leadership, along with the Members of the Arizona delegation, for putting this resolution together which is so important. I have had the honor of knowing my colleague Gabby Giffords since 2005 before either of us were actually elected to Congress. And there is no doubt in my mind that she wishes she could be here today on the House floor to speak in favor of this resolution that is honoring the life of Gabe Zimmerman, her director of community outreach who lost his life in that senseless attack on January 8. As a former staffer myself, I know firsthand that working for a Member of Congress is not like most jobs. You rarely go home at 5 or 6; you work long hours; you typically do not have weekends off. But to those staff who work for all of us, every one of the House Members, the reward comes from working for constituents on behalf of our districts, our States, and our great country. All of our staff are extensions of the Members that they work for. Gabby's staff is certainly a reflection of whom she is--a loyal, dedicated public servant. And Gabe Zimmerman is no different. I didn't know him, but I do know that he cared for his community, he cared for his country. Gabe was a passionate advocate for children, for social justice, and for antiracism.…”