[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E70]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING ARIZONA SHOOTING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 12, 2011

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to join 
my colleagues in support of H. Res. 32, a resolution expressing the 
sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the tragic 
shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011. My thoughts and 
prayers go out to those who were lost: Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy 
Morris, John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, and Gabriel 
Zimmerman, and to their friends and families and all those in the 
community whose lives they touched. Words can not begin to express my 
sorrow about their passing. I am also praying for a full and quick 
recovery for those 14 individuals who were injured, including my good 
friend and colleague, Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
  On Saturday morning, Gabby was out in her community, as she often 
was, hosting a meeting with constituents and providing an opportunity 
for them to ask questions and express concerns in an open and free 
environment. It is this proximity to the people we represent that we 
most cherish as Members of the House of Representatives. My number one 
priority, which I'm sure is shared by all of my colleagues, is to be 
accessible and available to the families and communities in my 
district. While we may never understand the motive or reasoning behind 
the violent event on that day, it felt to many like an attack on all of 
us, our democracy, and on the freedoms that we work to protect each day 
as elected officials. As so many Americans have done throughout our 
history, bystanders became heroes and their actions prevented an even 
worse catastrophe. I am thankful for their quick actions and grateful 
to our entire nation for standing together as one community in support 
of the people of Tucson and speaking with one voice that this senseless 
act of violence has no place in a civilized democracy.
  Gabby's passion for public service is unmatched, and this is clearly 
evident in her work ethic on the House Armed Services Committee, where 
we both serve. I greatly admire her ability to be a tough advocate for 
her district, while always looking for ways to reach across regional, 
partisan, or ideological boundaries to find common ground to move 
forward on an important issue. She is always warm, personable and 
professional, and she stands strongly and passionately for what she 
believes in and what she believes is best for her constituents in 
Arizona. Last week, when we spoke on the House floor, she discussed her 
desire for the House to quickly consider legislation to create more 
jobs in our districts. Even after an exhausting election cycle, she 
never broke her focus and was ready to move forward on day one to get 
our economy back on track.
  My life changed forever at the age of 16 after an accident that left 
me paralyzed. I wondered what life could possibly have in store for me 
next. Yet as I lay in my hospital bed, I was overwhelmed with the 
outpouring of support from my friends, family and neighbors. Along with 
my faith, which pulled me through one of the darkest times in my life, 
it was also the generosity and concern from my community that 
ultimately made me want to give back through a career in public 
service. I want to share this strength with those who are injured now 
and fighting to recover, and let them know that many wonderful 
possibilities lie ahead.
  Next week, we will continue our work, the work of the people, but I 
am grateful for this opportunity to pause and reflect on this national 
tragedy. Madam Speaker, thank you for bringing forward this resolution 
and for allowing all Members of the House to express their condolences 
to those who were lost and support to our friend, Representative 
Giffords, her staff, and all of those in Tucson and across the nation 
as we begin to heal together from this tragic event.

                          ____________________