[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING GABRIEL ZIMMERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Gabriel 
Zimmerman, who tragically lost his life in the senseless shooting on 
January 8, 2011, that took 5 other lives and resulted in the serious 
wounding of our wonderful and resilient colleague, Representative Gabby 
Giffords.
  Gabe dedicated his life to helping others. On that day, he had 
organized a Congress on Your Corner event so that constituents could 
bring their problems to Representative Giffords and her staff to get 
them solved. We have learned a lot about Gabe's commitment to service--
his practice of going the extra mile to help improve the lives of so 
many.
  In January 2007, Gabe began serving as Constituent Services 
Supervisor for newly-elected Congresswoman Giffords. In that role, he 
oversaw an extensive constituent advocacy program, working directly 
with the people of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District every day. 
He then served as Congresswoman Giffords' Director of Community 
Outreach, where he organized hundreds of events to allow constituents 
all over southern Arizona to meet with Congresswoman Giffords. I know 
how much my colleague, Congresswoman Giffords, relied on Gabriel and 
how much she valued their work together.
  Margaret Bowe, a close college friend of Gabe, described him as ``a 
warm, funny, energetic, smart, interesting person who was passionate 
about life.'' She went on to explain ``Gabe's purpose, his motivation, 
his passion, was to help people, he believed in the ideals of our 
political system.''
  I remember that day well--my thoughts and concerns went out to those 
involved in that horrific event but also to my own staff, who work 
extremely hard, putting in long hours to serve the constituents of the 
9th District of Illinois. Every one of them is committed to helping 
people and they are regularly in the same role that Gabriel was on that 
January morning. They do not get the recognition that they deserve, 
often enough.
  Our staffs are out there in our communities every day, embodying the 
same values Gabe worked so hard for. In remembering Gabe, we also must 
salute the thousands of staffers across the country, who keep his 
memory alive by proudly serving their communities and country.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to Gabe's family and friends, among 
them my colleague Gabrielle Giffords, who so deeply mourn his tragic 
death.

                          ____________________