Ron Barber Commends Signing of Congresswoman Giffords' Bill into Law

Statement

Ron Barber, who served as District Director for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and is now a candidate for Congress in her district, commended President Obama's signing of Giffords' anti-smuggling bill, H.R. 3801, the Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act of 2012. The bipartisan measure will give law enforcement greater authority to fight drug trafficking across the US-Mexico border.

"Congresswoman Giffords never hesitated to reach across the aisle to solve problems. Working alongside her, I have seen firsthand how drug smuggling and violence against people who live on the border are serious threats to Southern Arizona," said Barber. "As this bill becomes a law today, it provides another tool for law enforcement agencies to use in the fight against the drug cartels. There is still much to be done to secure our southern border but this new law is a step in the right direction."

Yesterday, Barber declared his candidacy for Congress in Arizona's 8th Congressional District, which Giffords represented from 2007 through 2012. He pledged to continue Giffords' legacy of working across the aisle to solve problems and to focus on protecting veterans and seniors, investing in clean energy to create jobs, preventing foreclosures and securing the border. In five years of service alongside Giffords, Barber worked to build coalitions of citizens to tackle problems in the areas of border security, solar jobs development and veterans' health care.

"I have a track record of bringing together people of all parties and backgrounds together so we can improve life in Southern Arizona. I am committed to working with Republicans and Democrats alike to make our border communities safer for all of our citizens."

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