January 8, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 3 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MOMENT OF SILENCE COMMEMORATING THE EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TUCSON, 
                           ARIZONA, SHOOTING

  (Mrs. KIRKPATRICK asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, 8 years ago today, at 10:10 a.m., 19 
members of the Tucson community were shot in a despicable act of 
violence that shocked the Nation.
  They were attending a Congress on Your Corner event, where 
Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was meeting with her constituents, when 
they were gunned down in a senseless tragedy that killed 6 and wounded 
13.
  The shooter fired his weapon 33 times in less than 20 seconds and was 
attempting to reload his handgun when the courageous actions of three 
people stopped him. Had they not done so, many others would have been 
wounded or killed.
  The six people who died were: Christina-Taylor Green, Dorothy ``Dot'' 
Morris, Federal Judge John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, and 
Gabriel ``Gabe'' Zimmerman.
  People who were wounded by the gunmen were: Bill Badger; Congressman 
Ron Barber, who is now my district director; Ken Dorushka; James 
Fuller; Randy Gardner; Congresswoman Gabby Giffords; Suzi Hileman; 
George Morris; Mary Reed; Pam Simon; Mavy Stoddard; Jim Tucker; and 
Kenneth Veeder.
  The members of my community had never seen such a devastating tragedy 
before, and yet they responded with compassion and kindness toward the 
survivors and the families of those who were murdered. They did not let 
this horrific tragedy define who we were.
  Three memorials sprang up spontaneously: at the site of the shooting, 
at Congresswoman Gifford's office, and at the university hospital where 
the most seriously wounded were taken.
  Thanks to the quick actions of members of the public and first 
responders who rushed to treat the wounded, lives were saved that 
morning.
  The mental health of everyone in attendance was adversely affected, 
and many of the survivors still endure the physical and mental impact 
the shooting had on their lives.
  The families of the six people who were killed grieve the loss of 
their loved ones to this day. I am so honored that our colleague Gabby 
Giffords is with us tonight.
  Gabby served with great distinction in this House and, despite her 
nearly fatal injuries, has gone on to encourage and inspire us to take 
action to reduce gun violence in our country.
  Today, a bipartisan group of our colleagues responded to Gabby's call 
by introducing and cosponsoring H.R. 8. This bill, which I support, 
will keep guns out of the hands of people who are currently prohibited 
by law from purchasing guns. It will eliminate loopholes in the current 
background check system.
  The bill will not prevent responsible gun owners from buying guns, 
but it will make sure that their gun purchases are made in compliance 
with our existing laws.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the debate that we will have regarding 
H.R. 8, and hope that we will soon pass this bill out of our Chamber.
  Gun violence in our Nation is a major public health problem, and it 
must be addressed. The American people who sent us here are waiting for 
us to step up and act responsibly on their behalf. We must do so.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House observe a moment of silence in 
remembrance of those whom we lost.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The House will observe a moment of silence.

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