On January 12, the House passed, by voice vote, H. Res. 32, a resolution condemning the shooting in Tucson and honoring Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and others killed and injured in the attack. Sponsored by Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:
The resolution condemns the attack in the “strongest possible terms,” “offers its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who were killed in that attack,” and “honors the service and leadership of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a distinguished member of this House, as she courageously fights to recover.”
“On January 6, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords took to the floor of this House and eloquently read to us the First Amendment of our Constitution,” said Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). She continued, “She gave her own strong emphasis to the phrase that grants Americans the right to peaceably assemble. Two days later, she and her constituents have had their God-given rights violently taken from them. In the midst of our national grief, the desire to make sense of the senseless is profound. We err if we attempt to rationalize what is wholly irrational and to understand what cannot be understood…Instead, let us all stand with the gentle lady from Arizona in her time of trial and in defense of the Constitution which she is striving to uphold. Let us stand with our nine-year-old daughters who are fostering a budding interest in our representative democracy. Let us stand with our 76- and 79-year-old mothers and fathers who seek only to forge a relationship with their elected representatives and to impart a wisdom that comes with long life as a citizen of this country. And let us stand with our servant leaders of all ages and parties and to spend every day in a passionate effort to better a great nation and a beautiful ideal. We do them honor if we continue, not with idle speculation, but with a renewed commitment to exercise the rights of liberty and freedom. We begin the long road to healing by fervently praying for peace in our world, peace in our country, and peace in our hearts.”
Speaking on behalf of the resolution, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said, “[O]ur colleague Congresswoman Giffords was the primary target of this cowardly act; and as she recovers, we honor her as a brilliant and courageous Member of Congress. She has brought to Congress an invigoration – the thinking of a new generation of national leaders. As a businesswoman and state legislator, she came to Congress full of ideas, and we will long continue to be blessed by them. I look forward to when she is present with us on the floor. She has spoken out courageously and led boldly when the times have demanded it. It is especially tragic that those who lost their lives and those who were wounded had come together, as the resolution presents, to participate in an activity that reflects the best of our democratic tradition – a representative of the people, of Gabby Giffords and her staff hearing directly from the men and women she represents.” Rep. Pelosi continued, “In speaking as one House today, coming together in peace, we offer our thoughts and support, our prayers for the health of our colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and for all of the injured. We share the stories of the heroes of this tragedy and mourn those who perished. Let their actions and their memories be a blessing to our country.”
Following the remarks of several Members of Congress, the House adjourned out of respect for the victims of the attack.
