Mikulski Statement on Shootings in Arizona

Statement

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today issued the following statement on the shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and others Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.:

"The shooting Saturday in Arizona was tragic and terrible. Congresswoman Giffords was out doing what members of Congress are supposed to be doing -- listening to the people.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those who were injured and the families of all who died- the 9-year-old girl, born in Maryland on Sept. 11, 2001, who was recently elected to student council and wanted to meet her Congresswoman. The three senior citizens, including a 76-year-old man who died trying to save his wife. The federal judge who went to the 'Congress on Your Corner' to greet the Congresswoman. The community outreach director who helped Congresswoman Giffords stay close to all her constituents.

"Yet, even in a time of tragedy, heroes emerged. Many jumped in to help stop the shooting, at the risk of their own lives -- the 61-year-old woman who was last in line but first to act, grabbing the shooter's magazine. The men who jumped on the shooter to subdue him. The young intern who ran toward the sound of gunshots and propped Congresswoman Giffords up, making sure she could breathe and applying pressure to her wound. I am so proud of each of these selfless Americans.

"In the wake of this tragedy, we must all pull together -- because we are all in this together. We need to lower the decibel level across all levels of discussion. We need less partisanship and more citizenship. That's what my constituents want. That's what our nation needs. And that's what I'll keep fighting for."

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