On the recordJanuary 12, 2011
Madam Speaker, I rise today to humbly add my voice to the remarks made so eloquently by my colleagues. I had the honor of personally meeting Representative Giffords for the first time just last week, here in the Chamber; and although my service in the House has thus far only overlapped ever so briefly with hers, Gabby's attitude of service and spirit of commitment to those that she represents was immediately apparent. Representative Giffords was practicing one of the most basic and important duties that a Member of Congress will have, making herself available to constituents, when a gunman viciously and inexplicably attacked her and 19 others. It is difficult to find explanation for such a tragic event. And while an explanation will always elude us, we can find comfort in the prayer of a friend and constituent from my home district in Pennsylvania, Rabbi Ira Budow. Just this past Monday evening before a town hall meeting in Bucks County, Rabbi Budow prayed. He said, ``I pray that the disaster in Arizona serves as a wake-up call for our country and results in a more caring and loving atmosphere for us all. At the end of the day, we are all Americans and rise and fall together.'' I'm proud to support the resolution.
