[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MOMENT OF SILENCE ON ANNIVERSARY OF SHOOTING VICTIMS IN TUCSON, ARIZONA

  (Mr. BARBER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BARBER. Mr. Speaker, I stand here with my colleagues from the 
Arizona delegation, both Senate and House, and with very close friends 
of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords to remember a tragic event that 
took place 3 years ago today.
  On January 8, 2011, 10:10 a.m., in just 19.6 seconds, 19 people, 
including Congresswoman Giffords and myself, were shot during a 
Congress on Your Corner in Tucson, Arizona. This event was democracy in 
action; a Member of this body, the people's House, was meeting one-on-
one with her constituents. Six wonderful people died that day, 
including my friend, Gabe Zimmerman, my go-to guy on the 
Congresswoman's staff.
  Tucson and southern Arizona have definitely not been defined by that 
terrible act. Instead, we are defined by how our community responded. 
The compassion, love, prayers, and goodwill that poured out has helped 
all of us heal our broken hearts and bring some good out of that 
horrific day. Organizations have been established to address the 
educational needs of children, to prevent bullying, and to reduce the 
stigma of mental illness and improve those services.
  Congresswoman Giffords continues her remarkable recovery. Her 
perseverance and determination give hope to others. She is a true 
inspiration to the country and the world. You might have noted that, 
earlier today, she jumped out of an airplane and took a tandem dive--
her second skydive. This woman's resilience has no bounds.
  Sadly, in the last 3 years, other communities have been struck by 
similar senseless acts of violence. The most fitting memorial would be 
to take action to prevent another such tragedy. As a shooting survivor, 
a grandfather, and a Member of Congress, I am determined to do so. I 
know that many others in this body and in the Senate have the same 
aspiration.
  Let us never forget the 6 people that died that fateful day: 9-year-
old Christina-Taylor Green; Dorothy Morris; U.S. District Court Judge 
John Roll; Phyllis Schneck; Dorwan Stoddard; and my friend and 
colleague, Gabe Zimmerman.
  Mr. Speaker, I would now ask that the House observe a moment of 
silence in remembrance of these good people.
  The SPEAKER. Members will rise and observe a moment of silence.

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