Expressing Sense of House Regarding Arizona Shooting

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I come to the floor today to offer these thoughts on this tragic event this past Saturday outside Tucson that took the lives of John M. Roll, Christina Taylor Green, Dorwan Stoddard, Dorothy Morris, Gabe Zimmerman, and Phyllis Schneck, and gravely injured our colleague, Congresswoman GABBY GIFFORDS.

It was just last week that my wife and I had the opportunity to visit with GABBY in Statuary Hall before the ceremonial swearing in. And as so many of you know, our interactions with her were gracious, energetic, and she was willing to help us as we were setting up our freshman office. We took a few photos. We talked about ways we could work together, and of course we engaged in the banter and teasing of Arizona's favorite rivalry, ASU versus U of A.

GABBY takes enormous pride in the job in representing the communities of southern Arizona. And my wife and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mark during this difficult time. We deeply appreciate the gift Mark generously shares with all of us here in Washington and back in Arizona.

It is also important not to forget the individuals who lost their lives or who were injured while they were exercising their right to participate and have a say in this Republic. Indeed, they became victims while exercising a fundamental right that has served as a backbone of this country since its founding, a right our Nation's Founders sacrificed so dearly for, just as the victims this last Saturday have tragically also sacrificed for.

We are stunned by the tragedy, but we remain resolute in our commitment to assemble peacefully, engage civilly in the types of discourse that are fundamental to maintaining this Republic. Although words may not sufficiently capture the sorrow and grief we are experiencing, particularly in Arizona, Joyce and I send our thoughts, our prayers to GABBY; Mark; Roxanna and John Green, the parents of little Christina Taylor Green; and the loved ones of Judge Roll, Dorwan Stoddard, Dorothy Morris, Gabe Zimmerman, Phyllis Schneck, the community of Tucson and southern Arizona, all Arizona, this Nation. Our hearts are heavy, but our prayers are with all of you.

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