Expressing Sense of House Regarding Arizona Shooting

Floor Speech

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Mr. OLSON. I thank my colleague from California.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution before the House and to pay tribute to my colleague and dear friend, Gabby Giffords. I have been privileged to call her a friend as the chairwoman of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee while I was the ranking member.

We found that we share a deep passion for space and NASA, and we have worked closely on these issues together. In sitting in a hearing that Gabby was running with your eyes closed, you would be hard pressed to know who was the Republican and who was the Democrat. And as a freshman Member in Congress, it was heartening to know that while the controversial issues of the day may divide us, there is also room for collaboration and unity on both sides of the aisle. That was because of Gabby.

I have no better bipartisan friend in the Congress than Gabby Giffords. Madam Speaker, she is warm and kind, but the Gabby I know is also tough. She will pull through this with her husband, Mark, by her side. I wouldn't bet against her.

Other Members of our House family need our support too. I would like to say a prayer for Gabe Zimmerman and his family, Gabby's staffer who lost his life, as well as Ron Barber and Pam Simon, her other staffers who were victims in this horrible, horrible tragedy.

We must also remember the others who lost their lives or were seriously injured. They are in our hearts and prayers as the Nation begins the healing process.

Madam Speaker, I am going to close my remarks by talking to my friend as if she was here because in many ways she is.

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Mr. OLSON. I thank my colleague from California.

Gabby, I know you feel things and you hear things. When asked, you squeeze a hand, you hold two fingers up, and you hold a ``thumbs up.'' I know you feel the love and prayers of a Congress, a Nation, and a world that only wants you to have a full and speedy recovery. My friend, right back at you. I will see you when you get back in this Chamber.

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