On the recordJanuary 12, 2011
Saturday was indeed a grim day for our Nation. It was the day our beloved colleague, Gabrielle Giffords, was attacked while doing her job listening to her constituents. It was Gabby herself who aptly said just last year that the term ``representative'' is more of a job ``description'' than a job ``title.'' As we all work to represent our constituents and our States and Nation, the Speaker is correct when he said that ``an attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve.'' Last weekend, Gabby's efforts to serve her constituents brought her staff, herself and her constituents into a line of fire from a deranged man who shot 21 defenseless, innocent citizens. Six people died and many were wounded. Phyllis Schneck was a 79-year-old native of New Jersey who lived during the summer on Old Lake End Road in the Green Pond section of Rockaway Township in my congressional district. She was one of those. Mrs. Schneck and her late husband, Ernie, lived for years in Towaco, and they were active members of the Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Montville Women's Club. She was a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Hers, as were the others, were lives well lived. Madam Speaker, our minds reel from Saturday's violence. Our hearts ache for those slain and injured and their families and friends.
