[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ARIZONA MASS SHOOTING

  (Mr. Stanton of Arizona was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark a solemn anniversary.
  Fifteen years ago today, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was doing 
her job, holding a ``Congress on Your Corner'' event at a grocery store 
in Tucson, standing outside in the January sunshine, listening to her 
constituents, figuring out how she could help them.
  Then the unthinkable happened. In an instant, this moment of 
democracy turned into a tragedy. A gunman targeting Congresswoman 
Giffords killed six of our fellow Arizonans: Federal Judge John Roll, a 
dedicated public servant; Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan 
Stoddard, beloved members of the community; 9-year-old Christina-Taylor 
Green, born on September 11, 2001, a budding public servant who had 
just been elected to her middle school student council; and Gabe 
Zimmerman, Gabby's director of community research who died doing the 
work that he loved.
  Thirteen others were wounded, including Congresswoman Gabrielle 
Giffords. She survived a gunshot wound to her head through the sheer 
force of her will, exceptional medical care, and the unwavering support 
of her husband, Captain Mark Kelly.
  I worked closely with Gabby when she was in the State legislature, 
and I served on the Phoenix City Council. She was a singularly talented 
leader, brilliant and tough as nails, with the rare gift for bringing 
people together. There is no doubt in my mind that if it were not for 
that day, Gabby Giffords would be sitting in the United States Senate 
right now or the Governor's office, maybe even the White House.
  We have seen the consequences when political disagreements 
metastasize into something darker. In the last few years, political 
violence has increased in frequency and intensity, and this violence 
has been directed at both Republicans and Democrats.
  Gabby Giffords herself has shown us the path forward. Despite a long 
and difficult recovery that continues to this very day, she has 
transformed unimaginable tragedy into courageous action.
  Through GIFFORDS, the organization she cofounded with Mark Kelly, she 
leads the fight for a future free from gun violence, not with 
bitterness, but with courage, determination, and with hope.
  Her example stands as a rebuke to the cynicism that too often 
characterizes our politics. Gabby reminds us that we can disagree and 
disagree strongly while still recognizing the fundamental humanity in 
one another. We can fight for our principles without demonizing our 
opponents.
  On this 15th anniversary, we honor those who we lost by recommitting 
ourselves to the work that they believed in, a democracy where 
disagreement is not just tolerated but celebrated, where robust debate 
strengthens rather than threatens our institutions, and where every 
American can engage in civic life without fear.
  That is the America Gabby Giffords fought for then. That is the 
America she fights for now, and that is the America we must build 
together.

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