On the recordJanuary 12, 2011
I rise with all of my colleagues here to honor the victims of the tragedy in Tuscon and to speak of our great colleague Gabby Giffords. We are all encouraged by the signs of recovery that Gabby is showing every day she has been in the hospital. Our prayers are with her, her husband Commander Mark Kelly and her entire family. As Co-Chair of the Traumatic Brain Injury Taskforce I know Gabby faces a long road. We now she is receiving the best care in the world-- but even more importantly we all know that she's a fighter and that's exactly what she's doing now. On Monday in honor of the victims in Tucson I called for a Week of Solidarity in the 8th District of New Jersey. I love that word ``solidarity'' and all it represents. I wanted all our faith leaders to hold services and events this week--in order for our collective community to reflect on this national tragedy and pray for the victims and their families and for all of America. As tragically occurred in Tucson, too many of our communities have been afflicted by gun violence--as a nation now is the time to heal with our words and find unity where there may be strife. I find it especially appropriate that the end of this week will culminate with the observance of Martin Luther King Day--a man who gave our entire Nation the chance to find solidarity with each other--it is a bond that serves us well in the wake of this tragedy.
