Expressing Sense of House Regarding Arizona Shooting

Floor Speech

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Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to strongly support the resolution honoring the victims of the Arizona tragedy.

I condemn the senseless act of violence that ended six lives too soon and injured many others, including one of our colleagues, Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona.

Representative Giffords is an indefatigable advocate for her constituents and a strong believer in the value of public service. She has worked day and night to improve her community and help those around her in need. Even when she's had a strong disagreement with a colleague--on either side of the aisle--she was always willing to work with those colleagues again. For her, disagreements do not foreclose cooperation. She truly embodies what it means to be a public servant.

I want to commend the quick and heroic actions of the brave citizens who responded that day. In a frightful situation, when the natural response is to run in fear, Patricia Maisch, Roger Sulzeber, Joseph Zimudie, and Daniel Hernandez, Jr. took actions to help the injured and stop the attack. They risked their lives for the safety of others, and without their actions, it is likely many more lives may have been lost.

Acts and threats of violence such as these have no place in our society and the voices of the American people will not be silenced or diminished because of these acts.

As we pause to reflect on the tragic events of Saturday, we should make special efforts to remember those whose lives were senselessly taken: Gabe Zimmerman, Christina Taylor Green, Judge John M. Roll, Dorwin Stoddard, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck. We should remember their families in our prayers--and ask that they be comforted in their grief.

Like so many others, words cannot adequately express my shock and sorrow over this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with all the affected families.

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