Expressing Sense of House Regarding Arizona Shooting

Floor Speech

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Resolution Honoring Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the victims of this weekend's horrific shooting.

I have had the opportunity to serve with Congresswoman Giffords on the Foreign Affairs Committee. In our time serving together, I have witnessed a courageous, hardworking, admirable public servant, dedicated to her constituents and to this Nation.

Most importantly, Gabby is highly regarded and a family person. Just a few months ago, Gabby's cousin, Elisa Giffords, told my wife how proud she and her family are of Congresswoman Giffords and that they all know how important she is to her constituents. Those who know Gabby best, her family, love and respect her.

Gabby Giffords has developed a reputation as an astute public servant. The community meeting she organized in Arizona, last weekend--an event she had called `Congress in your Corner,' which exemplifies the essence of our democracy. Americans with varied views gathered peaceably to discuss how they could work together to improve their community. We all now know how this public gathering that aimed for positive community action ended tragically. A mother of two and wife of fifty years, Dorothy Morris; Judge John M. Roll, a devoted husband, father and grandfather; Church volunteers, Phyllis Schneck and Dorwan Stoddard; Gabriel Matthew Zimmerman, a 30 year old Congressional staffer, engaged to be married; and Christina Taylor Green, a third grader, there to meet a role model--Congresswoman Giffords--were all senselessly taken from us.
While shocking, this horrific event cannot be allowed to detract from our obligations to our constituents or the need to peaceably assemble, a right Gabby so eloquently conveyed to us earlier this month on the House floor.

With courage, confidence, and the same grace Congresswoman Giffords has displayed, we must work with and for each other in these hard times and in the months and years ahead. In this time of great sadness, I offer all the victims, their families, friends, and neighbors my deepest and most heartfelt prayers and well wishes. God bless you and God bless America.

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