Saturday, January 08, 2011

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot in Tucson

AZ District 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot this morning at a Meet & Greet at a Safeway in NW Tucson.  5 people were killed, 12 others were wounded.   Fox News reports that Rep. Giffords is out of surgery and according to the doctors at University Medical Center, the prognosis looks good for her recovery.  Our prayers go out to Rep. Giffords and all those who were involved in this senseless tragedy.



Here are statements from some of our elected officials:

STATEMENT BY SENATOR McCAIN REGARDING THE TRAGEDY IN ARIZONA



January 8, 2011


Washington, D.C. ­– U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) made the following statement regarding the horrifying attack at an event for U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) in Tucson, Arizona:


“I am horrified by the violent attack on Representative Gabrielle Giffords and many other innocent people by a wicked person who has no sense of justice or compassion. I pray for Gabby and the other victims, and for the repose of the souls of the dead and comfort for their families. I beg our loving Creator to spare the lives of those who are still alive, heal them in body and spirit, and return them to their loved ones.


“Whoever did this; whatever their reason, they are a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race, and they deserve and will receive the contempt of all decent people and the strongest punishment of the law.”




Statement by Governor Jan Brewer




PHOENIX – “All of Arizona is shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy that transpired this morning in Tucson.






“I have been in contact throughout the morning with law enforcement officials, as well as Tucson mayor Bob Walkup, and just a short while ago I spoke personally with President Obama. The President conveyed his heartfelt sympathies for our State, and our shared determination to ensure that justice is fully served.






“I am just heartbroken. Gabby is more than just a colleague, she is my friend. She has always been a noble public servant. My thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords and her family, the Congresswoman’s staff and their families, and well as the other victims of this senseless and cruel violence.”


 

ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM HORNE STATEMENT REGARDING CONGRESSWOMAN GIFFORDS

PHOENIX – I am devastated to hear about the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others. Gabby served in the Legislature while I served as Superintendent of Public Instruction and we worked together well even though we were of opposite parties. She was very amiable and easy to get along with. The initial responsibility for bringing justice is to local law enforcement, but my liaison Gerald Richard told the Tucson Chief of Police we will do anything to help.

To the extent the Attorney General has an appropriate role to play we will devote the necessary resources to help see to it that justice is done swiftly.


 Rep. Jeff Flake


Republican Jeff Flake, Gifford’s GOP counterpart, described Giffords as ‘fearless’ and ‘tenacious’. According to Flake, Gifford’s office was not long ago vandalized, as a potential intimidation tactic against the congresswoman.


Flake also reports that “‘emotions have been running high over several issues in Arizona, and immigration is one of them’”.

"During this time, let us keep the best of thoughts and our prayer with Giffords, each person on her staff and all of their friends and family."


Franks Statement on Giffords Shooting




January 8, 2011 - Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02), responding to reports that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08) was shot earlier this afternoon at an event in Tucson, released the following statement:


"Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is a precious, decent human being, and the monstrous degenerate that shot her should be prosecuted with the greatest energy that we can muster to the fullest extent of the law possible.


"The last thing I saw Rep. Giffords doing on the floor of the House of Representatives was reading the First Amendment of our Constitution; and while she was out exercising that right under that same amendment, some monster reportedly shot her at point blank range.


"We should make it clear to such evil individuals that free people in a Constitutional Republic such as our will not intimated by this kind of evil.


"There is a hole in my heart on behalf of the entire Giffords family and her friends and loved ones. I am praying for Gabrielle and all of those who love her."

Rep. Ben Quayle Statement on Rep. Giffords:

My statement today on the shooting in Tucson: "I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic shooting incident this morning in Tucson. My thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords and her family and the other victims and their families."



Rep. Schweikert Statement on Rep. Giffords



Washington, D.C. – Congressman David Schweikert released the following personal statement after the tragic shooting in Tucson, Ariz., earlier this morning that took the life of some and gravely injured his colleague, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.


“Joyce and I are joining hands in heartfelt prayers for Rep. Giffords and all the other victims of this tragedy. It is unconscionable and while we are still awaiting all the details, we urge all Arizonans and Americans to pray for the victims of this terrible tragedy.”


President Obama


"This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Americans were shot in Tuscon, Arizona, at a constituent meeting with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords," said President Barack Obama in a statement released by the White House. "We do not yet have all the answers. What we do know is that such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society. I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping Representative Giffords, the victims of this tragedy, and their families in our prayers."




Speaker Boehner Condemns Attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords


Washington (Jan 8)



Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement condemning the attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and members of her staff today in Tucson, AZ:


“I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country."




Gov. Sarah Palin


On her Facebook page, Palin said this afternoon: " My sincere condolences are offered to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today's tragic shooting in Arizona. On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice."

 
Statement from Secretary of State Ken Bennett regarding today’s tragic shooting of U.S. Rep. Giffords, others:


“Today’s attack upon Congresswoman Giffords, staff and others attending her event in Tucson was senseless and vile. There is no twisted logic to explain this shooting, nor is there any justification. We have no room for violence in our political culture.


“I served with Congresswoman Giffords for four years in the Arizona State Senate. She is a gifted leader with a bright future. I pray for her full recovery, and for the recovery of others injured in today’s horrific shooting. For the loved ones of those killed, I can only offer the deepest condolences of myself and my family. This is a tragic day for Arizona.”





 Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon:



The pictures and stories we're seeing and hearing from Tucson today leave me more sad than I can describe. Rep. Giffords has long been a friend. Gabby is not only an admirable public servant, she is truly one of the most gracious, most caring people I've met in my life. She's in my heart today along with her family, Judge John Roll and his family, and everyone whose life was touched by today's shooting.

Like you, I'm waiting to learn the facts of what happened, to get my mind around such a horrific tragedy. No matter what we learn, I know that violence like this is unacceptable. It diminishes our communities, the state of Arizona and our nation. Such violence stands in dark, painful contrast to the America we all work so hard to build and to protect.



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2 comments:

Unknown said...

Does it really matter whether the killer was a Democrat or Republican? I am quite sure that the mother of that 9 yr old girl is not wondering what party he belonged too. Or the family of the judge. Or the other dead and critically wounded. What matters is that we have become a nation of no compassion,or hate,of self interests and nothing more. We need not worry about the terrorist from outside our borders,we are destroying ourselves quite nicely.The issue of why this killer was issued a gun while having a criminal record and history of mental illness should be addressed and rapidly. The media and its ilk would do much better just reporting the news and not adding its conjecture to the mix. This is a tragedy on so many levels, yet so many in here would rather cast hatred and bile than to show respect and compassion to those who died and are injured.

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