House unveils resolution honoring Giffords, others

From NBC's Luke Russert and Shawna Thomas
The text of the resolution honoring Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) and others who were killed or injured in Tucson, AZ on Saturday has been released. The resolution also honors those who acted bravely to subdue the gunman.

GOP aides say the resolution was constructed in a bipartisan manner with special input from Giffords' office. The expectation is that Speaker John Boehner will bring the resolution to the floor on Wednesday soon after the House is gaveled into session at 10:00 am ET. The resolution condemns the "horrific attack" and honors a democracy "in which intimidation and threats of violence cannot silence the voices of any American."

Here's the full text of the resolution:

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011.

Whereas on January 8, 2011, an armed gunman opened fire at a ''Congress on your Corner'' event hosted by Representative Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Arizona, killing 6 and wounding at least 14 others;

Whereas Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, and Gabriel Zimmerman
lost their lives in this attack;

Whereas Christina Taylor Green, the 9-year-old daughter of John and Roxanna Green, was born on September 11,
2001, and was a third grader with an avid interest in government who was recently elected to the student council
at Mesa Verde Elementary School;

Whereas Dorothy Morris, who was 76 years old, attended the January 8 event with George, her husband of over 50
years with whom she had 2 daughters, and who was also critically injured as he tried to shield her from the shooting;

Whereas John Roll, a Pennsylvania native who was 63 years old, began his professional career as a bailiff in 1972,
was appointed to the Federal bench in 1991, and became chief judge for the District of Arizona in 2006, and was
a devoted husband to his wife Maureen, father to his 3 sons, and grandfather to his 5 grandchildren;

Whereas Phyllis Schneck, a proud mother of 3, grandmother of 7, and great-grandmother from New Jersey, was
spending the winter in Arizona, and was a 79-year-old church volunteer and New York Giants fan;

Whereas Dorwan Stoddard, a 76-year-old retired construction worker and volunteer at the Mountain Avenue Church of
Christ, is credited with shielding his wife Mavy, a longtime friend whom he married while they were in their 60s, who was also injured in the shooting;

Whereas Gabriel Matthew Zimmerman, who was 30 years old and engaged to be married, served as Director of Community
Outreach to Representative Gabrielle Giffords, and was a social worker before serving with Representative
Giffords;

Whereas Representative Gabrielle Giffords was a target of this attack, and remains in critical condition at an Arizona hospital;

Whereas 13 others were also wounded in the shooting, including Ron Barber and Pamela Simon, both staffers to Representative Giffords; and

Whereas several of those in attendance at this event, including Patricia Maisch, Roger Sulzgeber, Joseph Zimudie,
and Daniel Hernandez, Jr., helped apprehend the gunman and assist the injured, thereby risking their lives for
the safety of others, and should be commended for their bravery: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives-
(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific attack which occurred at the ''Congress on your Corner'' event hosted by Representative Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011;

(2) offers its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who were killed in that attack;

(3) expresses its hope for the rapid and complete recovery of those wounded in the shooting;

(4) honors the memory of Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, John Roll, Phyllis Schneck,Dorwan Stoddard, and Gabriel Zimmerman;

(5) applauds the bravery and quick thinking exhibited by those individuals who prevented the gunman from potentially taking more lives and helped to save those who had been wounded;

(6) recognizes the service of the first responders who raced to the scene and the health care professionals who tended to the victims once they reached the hospital, whose service and skill saved lives;

(7) reaffirms the bedrock principle of American democracy and representative government, which is memorialized in the First Amendment of the Constitution and which Representative Gabrielle Giffords herself read in the Hall of the House of Representatives on January 6, 2011, of ''the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances'';

(8) stands firm in its belief in a democracy in which all can participate and in which intimidation and threats of violence cannot silence the voices of any American;

(9) honors the service and leadership of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, a distinguished member of this House, as she courageously fights to recover; and

(10) when adjourning today, shall do so out of respect to the victims of this attack.

Discuss this post

Well done, Speaker Boehner. Well done, House of Representatives.

  • 14 votes
Reply#1 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:43 PM EST

I rarely find myself agreeing with the postings of FR's lefty liberals. But, Amy and Pat, Boston (below) are right on the mark and showing some real class with their comments. Passing this resolution is the right thing to do at the right time.

I wonder what the Nasty Redhead will have to say here, if anything.

  • 7 votes
#1.1 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:54 PM EST

Joe--if we're trying to change the tone here, couldn't you have left out your last sentence? What good does it serve?

  • 6 votes
#1.2 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:09 PM EST

It was just an honest thought. Just like the first two sentences.

  • 4 votes
#1.3 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:51 PM EST

"I wonder what the Nasty Redhead will have to say here, if anything."

Goddamn it, Joe- you were so close....

  • 6 votes
#1.4 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:36 PM EST

good post Jody.

    #1.5 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:23 PM EST

    Nope, no sign of the Nasty Redhead. That's not the least bit surprising. Her head would spin around like Linda Blair's ("Regan") in The Exorcist if she even THOUGHT about the fact that Republican's might just do the decent thing in response to this tragedy. She deserves the Hellish misery in which she lives.

    • 3 votes
    #1.6 - Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:49 AM EST

    Ugh - blubbering beohner. He's got to pull himself together - he can't be doing this every couple weeks.

    • 1 vote
    #1.7 - Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:14 PM EST

    She deserves the Hellish misery in which she lives

    Speaking of the angry ginger, does she actually work? I mean she claims to have a job but spends 99% of her day on here bashing the Right and talking about imaginary popcorn.

    Is she lying or just posting on the clock when she's supposed to be working?

    I think most employers call that "stealing."

      #1.8 - Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:03 PM EST
      Reply

      I agree Amy. Very very well done.

      Thank you Speaker Boehner.

      • 10 votes
      Reply#2 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:45 PM EST

      Great job, Speaker Boehner and House of Representatives. Seeing President Obama and the First Lady yesterday leading the moment of silence, the Congress participating and now Speaker Boehner's resolution, all things that help a nation grieve.

      • 8 votes
      Reply#3 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:53 PM EST

      I hate to be a party-pooper (all right, I don't really hate it -- that would be uncivil), but isn't there something missing here?

      (11) vows to do SOMETHING to stop this senseless violence.

      • 4 votes
      Reply#4 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:57 PM EST

      AnnaMolly, just hold the POOP in, according to E1 on the Right,you can use it as a Weapon of Mass Destruction & Charmin will represent you in Court.

      • 4 votes
      #4.1 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:28 PM EST
      Reply

      Thank you Mr. Speaker, that is both thoughtful and helpful.

      • 6 votes
      Reply#5 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:58 PM EST

      Indeed, Thank you Mr. Boehner and all in the House.

      and just when it couldn't get any more ironic...hadn't heard this part yet:

      ...Representative Gabrielle Giffords herself read in the Hall of the House of Representatives on January 6, 2011, of ''the right of the people peaceably to assemble,..."

      • 5 votes
      Reply#6 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:01 PM EST

      How about the irony of her opponent in the 2010 election campaign holding a fund-raiser by offering donors a chance to shoot an M-16 rifle? And we wonder where people get these crazy ideas.

      I just wonder where we get all these crazies.

      • 5 votes
      #6.1 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:13 PM EST

      That sure is ironic. We can't let the lunatic fringe scare us away from our freedom and our way of life.

      • 4 votes
      #6.2 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:22 PM EST

      I mean afterall . Wasn't it Manchin (d) that used an assualt type rifle to shoot the Healthcare bill?

      • 1 vote
      #6.3 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:22 PM EST

      Aiming at paper and aiming at people are two different things. Just ask a cop...

      • 1 vote
      #6.4 - Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:11 PM EST

      "If they bring a knife to a fight, we bring a GUN!"

      Barrack Obama during a 2008 fundraiser in response to what he would do to counter Republican criticism.

      How's THAT for "inflammatory language?"

      And how come there's nary a peep from the left about it?

        #6.5 - Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:59 PM EST

        "Nary a peep" because the left knows that it was a quote from the movie "The Untouchables" and that the president's Sean Connery accent is terrible. So he does a Sean Connery impression, just like his Pete Rouse impression last week. Big deal - he didn't put a crosshair on an honorable public servant. She's disgusting (I'd still do her though).

        • 1 vote
        #6.6 - Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:41 PM EST
        Reply

        Well said, Speaker Boehner. Well said.

        • 5 votes
        Reply#7 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:22 PM EST

        A hearty well done to the members of the People's House!

        May this resolution be the beginning of a new found path for lively debate, civility in disagreement and compromise and honorable governing going forward.

        Mr Speaker Boehner, Leader Pelosi, Leader Cantor and Leader Hoyer - may your wisdom lead out o@!$%#ry to great things beginning this day.

        • 3 votes
        Reply#8 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:20 PM EST

        Well done to the members of the house and I do hope that the senate does likewise.

        • 1 vote
        Reply#9 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:50 PM EST

        Well done Mr Speaker and the House of Representatives. A good beginning.

        • 2 votes
        Reply#10 - Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:51 PM EST

        Passing the resolution is fine, but it's window dressing.

        How about lawmakers doing their real jobs by tightening laws about the strength of background checks for firearm purchases? For providing substantive mental health support to Americans who need it? For improving the communication systems between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies?

          Reply#11 - Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:01 AM EST

          Mental health programs are just like health insurance for children - just another lousy liberal entitlement program. Mental health programs are just meant to bankrupt the US and decrease the number of potential gun buyers...a gun in every hand! or turkey in every pot?!? whatever. lol.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#12 - Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:37 PM EST
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