Expressing Sense of House Regarding Arizona Shooting

Floor Speech

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Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I take to the floor of the House today to pay tribute to the fallen, but also to honor the heroes, to express grief in the wake of tragedy, but also to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who showed incredible bravery in the face of evil.

Madam Speaker, I come to the floor of the House today to honor my colleague and friend Gabby Giffords, because I want every American to know that she exemplifies what every American wants to see in their Member of Congress. The Gabby I know is smart and hard working. The Gabby that southern Arizona knows is personable and accessible. The Gabby we all know is dedicated and humble.

Gabby takes her job representing Arizona seriously. She works hard to effect change on the issues that matter most to her southern Arizona constituents. We both served on the Committee on Science and Technology in the last Congress, and I was privileged to be able to collaborate with Gabby on her signature issue--solar energy development. She worked tirelessly to create not only clean energy for America, but also new jobs for Americans.

We are both residents of border States, albeit different borders, and I was proud to cosponsor her legislation to help give businesses the tools necessary to enforce immigration standards. I admired her strong commitment to our national defense and her tireless dedication to the men and women who serve our country in uniform. But even more than her legislative prowess, it is her smile and friendly nature that makes her a beloved figure here in the Halls of Congress as well as in her home district. And we all pray for her speedy recovery.

We also mourn the loss of those who were senselessly murdered while participating in the most fundamental democratic tradition--talking with the people who represent us; victims like 9-year-old Christina Taylor, who was just elected to her student council. Christina attended Representative Giffords' Congress on Your Corner event because she cared about her community, and a neighbor thought she would enjoy it.

But while this tragedy has extinguished lives of promise, it has also revealed some incredible heroes. Today we stand shoulder to shoulder and pray for the speedy recovery of our friend and the other wounded victims.

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Mr. PETERS. And I just say to all, God bless the victims and their families; God bless all those who are grieving, and God bless America.

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