Heinrich Remarks on the January 8, 2011 Tragedy in Tucson, Arizona

Statement

U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) submitted the following remarks to the Congressional record today to coincide with the introduction of H.Res. 32, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011:

EXTENSION OF REMARKS
HON. MARTIN HEINRICH (NM-1)
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 12, 2011

ON THE JANUARY 8, 2011 TRAGEDY IN TUCSCON, ARIZONA

Mr. HEINRICH: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the many victims of Saturday's tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, and to voice my hope for a full recovery for each of the survivors, particularly my colleague and friend, Representative Gabrielle Giffords. On behalf of me, my family, my staff, and the constituents of New Mexico's First Congressional District, I express our heartbreak at the attempted assassination, the devastation of so many innocent lives, and the senseless attack on our nation's Democratic process.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of this senseless tragedy, and especially to the friends and families of Judge John M. Roll, Gabe Zimmerman, Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck and Dorwan Stoddard. We are grateful for the heroes who courageously intervened, the first responders and health care professionals and those who continue to assist the survivors in their recovery.

Though she remains in critical condition, I know Gabby, and can attest to her nature as a fearless fighter. We've worked closely together on the House Armed Services Committee as clean energy advocates and as New Democrats. As the only member of Congress with a spouse on active-duty, she is a tireless advocate for military families and is unquestionably one of the most talented Democratic leaders of my generation. With all of that in mind, I am optimistic and hopeful that she will overcome this tragedy. Her recovery is important to our nations' future.

Sadly, Saturday's assassin took advantage of an event which embodies the very essence of public service and the right to assemble without fear. Like Gabby, I hold these kinds of "Congress On Your Corner" events in my district to hear directly from my constituents, whether they agree with me or not. Listening to our constituents is a fundamental duty of each Member of Congress and provides an extraordinary opportunity to talk one-on-one in an inclusive and equitable environment. That our constituents would have to worry about violence as part of that process is unthinkable. We must continue to remain accessible to our constituents while taking appropriate measures going forward to protect their safety.

As we pray for Gabby's recovery and for the families and friends of all of those impacted by Saturday's tragedy, let us honor their legacy by striving to reinforce the spirit of Democracy in which the victims sought to engage in on Saturday in Tucson. Together as a nation, we can have a vigorous debate without compromising the civility and respect for one another's human dignity that is core to our great nation's principles.

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