On the recordJanuary 12, 2011
I am saddened to take part in today's tribute to our colleague Gabrielle Giffords, who was so senselessly shot this weekend; her outreach coordinator, Gabe Zimmerman, who was killed in the line of duty during the incident; two other staff who were wounded while supporting the Congresswoman; and all of those who were killed, wounded, and impacted by this terrible tragedy. Congresswoman Giffords was performing the most fundamental duty of a Member of Congress, listening to her constituents. All Members of Congress take the role of being an advocate for their constituents seriously. For Congresswoman Giffords, it's promoting solar energy production to boost the local economy, or being a voice for military families, and working to secure the border with Mexico. Today I stand here to say not as a Republican, not as a Democrat, but as an American that violence has no place in our society. And I wish and pray for peace and justice for all of those who have been involved in this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers, as well of those of my family and the people of Ohio's Third District, remain with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, her constituents, and their families.
