President Obama Speaks at the Tucson Memorial This Evening

Obama: 'Make Them Proud'

Jan 12, 2011



- 33:48 -


President pays tribute to the fallen, issues challenge to the nation at Tucson memorial



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University of Arizona Memorial


Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Remarks by Gov. Jan Brewer

Thank you, President Shelton --


Mr. President and Mrs. Obama –


-- Justice Kennedy,


-- Attorney General Holder,


-- Secretary Napolitano,


-- Minority Leader Pelosi,


-- And my fellow Arizonans …


Good evening.


On behalf of the people of the State of Arizona, I thank you for coming today, to help us with our healing.


In the aftermath of Saturday, your words have been a source of comfort and strength to every Arizonan.


Your presence today serves as a reminder that we are not alone with our sorrow.


America grieves with us.


This great nation stands ready to help our wounded heal -- to join our neighbors -- and our state -- in mourning a loss beyond measure.




There is no way to measure what Tucson -- and all of Arizona -- lost this past Saturday – a day that began as a warm Arizona morning. Neighbors were grocery shopping -- running errands.


They were gathering to meet their Congresswoman -- to see the Gabby Giffords’ smile all of us know so well.


There’s no way to quantify the loss of a fine public servant like U.S. District Court Judge John Roll.


There’s no way to measure the deaths of good people, parents and grandparents like Dorwan Stoddard, Phyllis Schneck and Dot Morris.


Gabe Zimmerman, also killed, was only 30 years old. He was soon to be married, devoted to social work, a fighter for justice.


There’s no measuring the void someone like Gabe leaves behind.


We also lost Christina Taylor Green.


Born on another day of unparalleled sadness … September 11, 2001 … Christina was only 9 years old.


She was a new member of student council at Mesa Verde Elementary School.


She loved ballet, swimming and baseball.


We can never know what Christina might have become.


We cannot imagine what the families of our six innocent neighbors are feeling.


Nor can we know the pain of the wounded, some of whom still are struggling for their lives.


Saturday’s gunfire didn’t simply take six lives, injure my friend, Gabby Giffords, and injure several others.


It pierced our sense of well-being.


It raised questions of which we can make no sense -- questions begging for answers that will not come any time soon.


I know this, though.


Arizona is united in a mission of recovery.



This state -- bound together by prayer -- and action -- hope -- and faith -- will NOT be shredded by one madman’s act of darkness.


We have come to understand – aided by your presence – that we are being lifted up by the thoughts and prayers of others who mourn with us.


We will remember how to smile again.


I know Arizona.


I know its every corner, I know it’s proud, courageous citizens.


We will go forward, together, rejoicing in hope -- patient in tribulation -- devoted to prayer – we will go forward unbending, unbowed …


In the words of Abraham Lincoln – it is a way which is plain, peaceful, generous, and just – it is a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless.


May God bless all the victims, their families and those suffering from Saturday's tragedy.


May God bless those who serve us in the cause of freedom and justice.


May He bless you and your families and our Great State of Arizona.


And may God always bless and protect the United States of America.


Thank you.