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

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Congresswoman Giffords loved America and she loved America's values, and America blessed her with opportunities. American values give us all the opportunity to do our best and to be our best. Last Saturday, Congresswoman Giffords was at her best meeting the people of Arizona, of Tucson, and the United States of America.

But Congresswoman Giffords would also ask us to do our best. And as the Bible has said, she was a woman who used her talents well.

She would also want us to acknowledge the Americans who have poured out their hearts during this tragedy all over this Nation.

Americans did their best Saturday. And good Americans lost their lives being good Americans. We know of those who lost their lives and offered to us a sacrifice: Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, Judge John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, and Gabriel Zimmerman of her staff.

We are well aware of what happened. And we say to Congresswoman Giffords, keep on fighting for your life, along with others who were wounded, while the heroes of that day, Mr. Hernandez and others, reflect on the horror. But hopefully, they know that they did their best.

Now it is time for us to do our best, to be a servant leader, giving to others first, showing by example. It is so very important that we do so in her name. To Captain Kelly, a brave American and family, we stand by you, we stand by your side. You will not stand by yourself. To Congresswoman Giffords' staff, we stand with you, and we pray for you and your loss and those who are wounded.

We are committed to both our freedom of expression and our job to create a more perfect Union. And yes, in the words of Scott Kelly, as I offer them today, Mark's twin brother, ``We have a unique vantage point here aboard the international space station. As I look out the window, I see a very beautiful planet that seems very inviting and peaceful. Unfortunately, it is not. These days, we are constantly reminded of the unspeakable acts of violence and damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions but also with our irresponsible words. We are better than this. We must do better.''

I agree, we can do better. And we can follow these words.

Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it as a sword that heals. Let us use nonviolence in our expression. Let us denounce violence. And as Martin Luther King would tell us, that we can be a people of peace. And I know that we know the words of John Lennon, ``Let

it be.'' But the truth will let us be free. And I look forward to the gentlelady from Tucson, Arizona, being here with us. God bless you, and God bless America.

I rise today to voice my strongest, sincerest and most heartfelt support for House Resolution 32, ``Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives with Respect to the Tragic Shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011.'' This resolution rightly condemns the horrific attack which occurred that fateful Saturday at the ``Congress on Your Corner'' event held by our beloved colleague, Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Representative Giffords was doing something she loved to do; something so fundamentally important to which every member of Congress can relate. She and her dedicated staff were truly bringing Congress home to the constituents on ``Main Street'' and making sure that they knew their national government was accessible to them, cared about them, was there to listen to their concerns and to work together with them to make this country a better place, beginning with their own community.

It is only fitting, that on the opening day of the 112th Congress, Representative Giffords read from the First Amendment of the Constitution which states that ``Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.''

This devastating tragedy touched the hearts and minds of not only the good people of Tucson, Arizona, but indeed the very hearts and minds of all Americans. At that moment, everyone in America, and in many places throughout the world, collectively identified with the good people of Tucson. We felt their shock, we felt their pain and we shared their anguish over the senseless killing and injury of innocent people who simply gathered at a comfortable, well known local establishment to participate in our great democracy with their friend and Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. We mourn the needless loss of life and condemn this atrocious infliction of pain, injury and suffering. We pray for the swift healing of all wounds, both physical and spiritual, for those who suffered from this tragedy. We pay tribute to the value and sanctity of every life, and we count our blessings.

Among those blessings, I am privileged to count the time I spent serving alongside Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to serving with her again very soon. She embodies the kind of goodness, selflessness, caring and passion for helping others that make her constituents in Tucson and throughout the state of Arizona justly proud.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords loves her district, the state of Arizona, and loves our great country. She loves America's values and America blessed her with opportunities. America's values give us all the opportunity to do our best and to be our best, and Congresswoman Giffords did just that, making the most of her talents. Congresswoman Giffords was at her best last Saturday meeting with the people. She is truly a ``servant-leader'' like all of us, in this august legislative body.

Congresswoman Giffords would also ask us to do our best and to acknowledge the Americans who poured their hearts out during this tragedy. Americans in Tucson and across the country did their best to respond to this tragedy last Saturday, and many good Americans lost their lives being heroic Americans.

I pay tribute to the six individuals who lost their lives on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at the ``Congress on Your Corner'' event in Tucson, Arizona. The assassin's bullets did not discriminate; they took the lives of young and old alike. We mourn the loss of Gabriel Zimmerman, the Community Outreach Director who shared Representative Gifford's passion for personally connecting with constituents at the local level to improve the quality of their lives and to simply be a good friend and neighbor. We mourn the loss of nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green, who lost her life on that tragic day. She serves as an example for us all. She had just been elected to her school student council, and she attended the ``Congress on Your Corner'' event with great interest. At the tender age of 9, she was already a leader with a promising future. We also pay our most sincere tribute to and mourn Federal Judge John Roll, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck and Dorwan Stoddard, who also needlessly lost their lives that day while exercising their right to peaceably assemble and participate in our democracy.

Furthermore, I pay tribute to the many heroes of all ages who demonstrated the most unselfish bravery and came to the aid of all those in attendance at the ``Congress on Your Corner'' event. Among those, we admire the 61 year old Patricia Maisch, who bravely risked the loss of her own life and effectively disarmed the shooter as several men pounced on him and threw him to ground. As they struggled to hold him down, Maisch joined the group of people wrestling on the ground, clinging to the gunman's ankles, and she grabbed the gunman's bullet clip before he could reload and continue his savage attack. Patricia Maisch humbly said, ``I am not a hero. The other guys are. I just assisted getting the clip.''

Congresswoman Giffords is also close to her family and married to Captain Mark Kelly, who honors this great nation with his service as a NASA Astronaut at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. This tragic event occurred on the eve of Mark Kelly's planned command of the last shuttle mission to the Space Station. His twin brother, Captain Scott Kelly, also honors this nation with his service as a NASA Astronaut.

Space station Commander Scott Kelly led NASA in a moment of silence Monday January 11, 2011, as he struggled with the senseless shooting of his sister-in-law, Gabrielle Giffords. He was in outer space at the time of the shooting. Flight controllers in Houston fell silent as Scott Kelly spoke via radio from space. ``We have a unique vantage point here aboard the International Space Station,'' he said. ``As I look out the window, I see a very beautiful planet that seems very inviting and peaceful. Unfortunately, it is not. These days, we are constantly reminded of the unspeakable acts of violence and damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions, but also with our irresponsible words. We're better than this. We must do better.''

Congresswoman Giffords is now fighting for her life along with others who were wounded on that fateful day while the heroes of that day reflect on the horrible tragedy that occurred and hopefully, remaining cognizant that they did their best in the most trying of circumstances. Now it is time for us to do our best, to be servant-leaders giving to others first and leading by example.

To Captain Kelly and his family, we stand by your side; you do not stand alone. To Congresswoman Giffords' staff, we stand with you too and extend our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your fellow staff member, Gabriel Zimmerman, and our prayers for your wounded fellow staff members.

We are committed to both our freedom of expression and our Constitution's constant pursuit to create a more perfect union. We as a nation are better than what occurred in Tucson on Saturday, and we are showing it today and must continue to show it every day henceforth. As we approach the holiday commemorating the life of slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I am reminded of his commitment to nonviolence. Dr. King's timeless words ring especially true at this time. He reminds us that ``Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.''

In the wake of this shocking event and at this crucial moment in our nation's history, I call for a commitment from all of my colleagues in the United States Congress to act and speak with a renewed and inspired sense of civility and respect for one another in our discourse. I call for a restoration of the time honored history and tradition of this great legislative chamber, which includes an atmosphere of decorum, comity, collegiality, and respect, even while we discuss the most hotly debated issues of our day.

We have before us a great opportunity to lead by example and remind the people of this nation and throughout the world about what makes our democracy truly unique and special. We need only recall that we are here as the duly elected Members of Congress to represent the people of our districts, our states and this country. We can demonstrate we truly reflect the voices of the people who sent us here. As we go about conducting the nation's business, we can comport ourselves with respect and dignity toward one another even when we disagree. A nation is watching. What we do at this critical time is of great importance.

We have the rare opportunity to honor those tragic victims of January 8, 2011, by setting a new national tone of civility. Then, our constituents will know that we truly speak for them. I urge my colleagues to join me in this commitment.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and extend my condolences to him, Mr. Pastor, the senior member of the Arizona delegation, and to all of the members of the Arizona delegation.

Madam Speaker, I am saddened, greatly saddened, to join the Speaker of the House, Mr. Boehner, in coming together in sadness today to share our prayers and indeed our hopes for those who have lost so much because of the tragedy in Arizona involving our colleague, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, her staff, and innocent bystanders.

Words are inadequate at a time like this, but I hope it is a comfort to those who have lost loved ones or who were injured on Saturday that so many people mourn the losses but also pray for the survivors and care for them at this very difficult time.

I think the resolution in its description of what happened and the context with which it happened is an excellent resolution; and I hope people will read it, pray over it, and be grateful that we have this opportunity to comment on it.

Today, we will say many prayers for our country and for the victims of this horrific event. We think of our colleague, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, fighting to recover, and the 14 others who were injured and remember the six who were killed. Their names are mentioned, and they are described in the resolution. The Speaker has mentioned their names, but I think acknowledging them bears repetition.

How do you explain the death of 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green who had recently been elected to the student council in her school, Mesa Verde Elementary School, and the unbearable grief of John and Roxanna Green? Again, we pray for them and will carry Christina as an inspiration in our hearts.

Dorothy Morris was married for more than 50 years to her high school sweetheart and was the mother of two.

Federal Judge John Roll had just come from mass, which he attended every day.

Phyllis Schneck, mother of three, grandmother of seven, and a great- grandmother. And I know that the New Yorkers like to hear she was a Giants fan, snowbird in Arizona carrying that dedication west.

Dorwan Stoddard died shielding his wife, Mavy. Shielding his wife, Mavy.

And as has been mentioned in the resolution, and we have mourned, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords' director of community outreach, Gabriel Matthew Zimmerman. One of his colleagues, his coworker, said: ``Gabe helped people for a living.''

As we honor the heroes who risked their lives to protect others, among them some who were injured, Patricia Maisch, for one, who grabbed the full magazine of ammunition from the killer as he attempted to reload. Just think of how many more we could have lost.

Roger Sulzgeber and Joseph Zimudio tackled and subdued the suspect. Imagine the courage.

And Daniel Hernandez, Jr., 20 years old--an intern who had just been on the job for 4 days. When he heard gunshots, he ran toward them--he ran toward them--and attended to Congresswoman Giffords, helping to staunch her bleeding with his own hands.

We pray for the recovery of other members of Congresswoman Giffords' staff--Ron Barber, Pam Simon. We commend Pia Carusone and the entire Giffords staff for carrying on.

Those heroes at the scene were joined by first responders from county and municipalities, arriving just 3 minutes after the first 911 call, who performed excellently, and in doing so, saved lives. We also pay tribute to the skilled professionals at Arizona's University Medical Center, whose role is ongoing in healing the victims of this tragedy.

Tonight, the University of Arizona community joins with Tucson, the State of Arizona and, indeed, the entire Nation to acknowledge together Saturday's tragedy. Appropriately, this remembrance is called ``Together we thrive: Tucson and America.''

``Together we thrive: Tucson and America'' will be an opportunity to grieve, and it will be a demonstration of our strength: a strength in community--a strength in community that was demonstrated last Saturday, a strength in community there that is ongoing. Tucson demonstrated its strength on Saturday when the city was full of heroes--ordinary citizens, victims, first responders--coming together in the spirit of community.

Madam Speaker, our 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.

American democracy is founded on our commitment to a contest of ideas, not violence. Political disagreement and dissent must never violate our Nation's values, as expressed in the Constitution, of free expression, speech and peaceful assembly. Gabby spoke to that right here from the floor last week.

In this hour of anguish, we seek a renewed commitment to hope, to civility, to peace among the American people. In many of our churches, we sing on Sunday and on other days of the week: let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin, not just with us but with me--with each of us, within each of us.

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.

We don't know why God saw this to be necessary, but let this be something that we cherish as an opportunity as we mourn the heartbreaking horror of

it all. This resolution is a fitting tribute. It is a great resolution. Please read it again and again. Carry those names in your heart. Remember each of these people because, again, a tragic accident took lives and wounded people in the free expression of ideas. May this resolution remind us of the urgent need to uphold our democratic values, to treat one another with courtesy and with respect, and to act as Congresswoman Giffords has always done and always will do--in a manner that reflects the best of American leadership.

As our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of all who were affected, I want to call special attention to Commander, Navy Captain Mark Kelly, Gabby's husband, who has been a source of strength to all of us in this difficult time. We pray for him. We thank him for his and Gabby's service to our country. God truly blessed America with their leadership, with their service, and with their love for each other.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the minority leader, Ms. Pelosi.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the leader of the caucus, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. PASTOR of Arizona asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I also join my colleague from Arizona, Jeff Flake, in thanking the leadership in bringing this resolution here this morning. I also want to recognize that Representative Giffords' staff is in the gallery with us this morning. So we want to wish them the best.

Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness I rise today to pay tribute to six innocent and precious Arizonans who, while participating in a public event designated to strengthen our democracy, so tragically lost their lives in a

senseless act of violence last Saturday. I also want to pay tribute to those 14 Arizonans, including our dedicated and beloved colleague, and my personal friend, Gabby Giffords, who were wounded.

These Americans, all dedicated to freedom and all loving their country so much that they chose to use their Saturday morning to participate in a public event to make their government better, are recovering at different paces and with unique and different needs. The city of Tucson, Pima County, and the entire State of Arizona stand poised to assist and welcome these brave heroes back to our communities once they have recovered.

Gabby continues to fight, literally fight, every minute for her life. And we are all reaching toward our God in prayer, contemplation, and silent whispers in our unified effort to bring about her quick recovery and return to us here in this House of Representatives.

Those who perished--Phyllis Schneck, Dorothy Morris, Gabe Zimmerman, Christina Taylor Green, Dorwin Stoddard, and John Roll--will be missed by their families, their colleagues, their friends, and all Arizonans.

Phyllis Schneck was described by her New Jersey hometown paper as a lifelong conservative, yet she was there to see Gabby because she admired her. This is a perfect example of someone who wanted to step beyond the current vitriol in modern-day politics and bring us together.

Dorothy Morris was married to a former Marine Corps pilot, who was also wounded and recovering. We all know the patriotism and love of country every spouse of a marine exhibits, and she was no exception.

Gabe Zimmerman was one of us. A dedicated staff member to Gabby, it is said that he literally lived to serve his community. Sadly, he perished, but he perished fulfilling his calling and doing what he loved--helping the people of his town.

Christina Taylor Green was just starting her political career. She had just been elected to her school's student council and wanted to come see it done at the highest level. She wanted to see a pro, so she came to see Gabby. She was a special little girl who kept reaching for the stars in politics, dance, baseball, and whatever her heart desired.

Dorwan Stoddard died shielding his wife, who was also wounded but expected to recover. Following their regular Saturday outing, Dorwan brought his wife, Mavy, to Gabby because reportedly she wanted to tell Gabby what a good job she was doing. High school sweethearts who were reconnected after many years apart, they were a pillar of their church community. And we know Mavy will continue on, saddened and burdened, but hopefully not broken.

Finally, Judge Roll had been working with Gabby and several of us in the delegation for the past several months trying to make the courts in Arizona more efficient and more responsive to both the victim and the accused. I knew him to be a fair, dedicated, charming, professional, and loyal person. He loved his family; he loved his profession; he loved his job, his community, and his country. Arizona and the Nation will be a different place without him.

Again, I am encouraged by the reports concerning all the wounded. These individuals are the perfect example of the strength of Arizonans and all Americans. They will recover, we pray, and they will not shy from continuing to serve their community.

This is most true for Gabby. Gabby is a special person among us here in Congress. We all know that. We all love her pragmatism, her bipartisanship, her willingness to learn, her dedication to give, her compassion for her job and for each of us, and her spirit to continue striving to make the Eighth Congressional District of Arizona and America a better place to live and work.

Hopefully, it won't be much longer until we see her here, her smiling face with us again, doing what she loves, and working hard for the people of our country.

Our prayers go to Gabby, all the victims, and the families of the deceased.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

(Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan.

(Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Maryland.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman).

(Ms. HARMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the assistant to the leader, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Higgins).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

(Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter).

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of January 12, 2011, to consider in the House without intervention of any point of order a resolution relating to recent events in Tucson, Arizona, if offered by the Speaker or his designee;

such resolution shall be debatable for 6 hours equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader or their respective designees; and

the previous question shall be considered as ordered on such resolution and any preamble thereto to final adoption without intervening motion.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Speaker of the House, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, this week, most Members of the House will gather briefly here in Washington, but our hearts and spirits will be in Arizona. The unspeakable tragedy in Tucson last Saturday came as a complete shock, casting a pall over the entire Nation.

With this resolution, we join 300 million Americans and millions of others around the world in showing our solidarity with Congresswoman Giffords and the rest of the victims. Gabby serves Arizona's Eighth District with distinction and thoughtful leadership, and we are all praying for her speedy recovery.

Saturday's cowardly crime was more than just an attack on dozens of innocent Americans at a grocery store. It was an attack on the very essence of democracy and representative government--an assault on the open exchange of ideas between legislators and the people to whom they are accountable.

This resolution honors the memory of Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, Judge John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, and Gabriel Zimmerman. The slain represent a broad cross-section of the American public--young and old; men, women and child; friends, brothers, sisters, and children. They will be missed but not forgotten.

This inexplicable crime reminds us that there is evil in the world. Yet, as we look for light in a thicket of darkness, our Nation has drawn inspiration from the bravery and quick thinking displayed by the heroes on the scene. Were it not for their efforts, there likely would have been many more victims.

The outpouring of support, prayer, and solidarity also reminds us that America is a country of compassion, community, and empathy. We will stand with the victims and their families, and pray and mourn with them as they cope with this horrific tragedy.

Madam Speaker, I also want to offer my thoughts of comfort to Gabby Giffords' staff and want them to know that our hearts hang heavy, and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they try and persevere through this very difficult time.

I would also like to add my thanks to the brave law enforcement that has helped our Nation over the last several days and every day--the law enforcement under the directorship of Director Mueller of the FBI, the local law enforcement in Arizona and, from our perspective, most especially, the Capitol Police, the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and the Sergeant at Arms, himself--for the tremendous job that they are undergoing each and every minute as we try and cope with this tragedy.

Madam Speaker, this resolution affirms the point all of us want to make. Our hearts are heavy. We mourn with the victims, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake), and I ask unanimous consent that he be permitted to control that time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 32.

Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie).

Madam Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen).

Madam Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Madam Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance).

Madam Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence).

(Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).

Madam Speaker, it is now my honor to yield 3 minutes to the majority whip, the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy).

Madam Speaker, it is now my honor to yield 3 minutes to the chairman of the Republican Conference, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Madam Speaker, it is now my honor to yield 2 minutes to the chief deputy whip on the Republican side of the aisle, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Roskam).

Madam Speaker, it's now my honor to yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the Rules Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to thank Speaker Boehner and the leadership on both sides of the aisle for bringing this resolution to the floor. This is indeed Congress at its best.

None of us will ever forget the feeling we had when we heard the news of the shooting last Saturday--one of the victims which was our dear friend and colleague, Gabby Giffords. A few hours

after the first news broke, I was in attendance at the press conference in Tucson at the medical center. Amid the turmoil and the anguish of the occasion, there were audible expressions of joy and relief around that room and around the country when Dr. Rhee announced that Gabby could listen and respond. Gabby's progress over the past few days has been measured in much the same manner--the squeeze of a hand, the raising of two fingers, a thumbs-up sign, each gesture letting us know that she hears, that she is listening and responding. These traits, listening and responding, have defined Gabby Giffords' career as a legislator.

Let me give but one example borne of another tragedy just 10 months ago. Longtime Arizonan Bob Krentz, known to provide assistance to those he found in need, was murdered on his ranch near Arizona's southern border. Farmers and ranchers in Arizona were understandably alarmed. Gabby listened and responded. Over and over she contacted and visited those affected, reassuring them that help was on its way. She convened monthly conference calls for the farming and ranching communities involving the Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Justice Department and other Federal agencies, each month broadening the circle to include more stakeholders.

We learned of her efforts in delegation meetings here in Washington, where she enlisted additional support. Last August, much as a result of Gabby's persistent efforts, the Congress acted, providing unprecedented resources to improve security in the area. Gabby listened, she responded, and, in the end, Congress responded as well.

We are responding here today by giving thanks for the service of Federal Judge John Roll and Gabe Zimmerman for the public service they have rendered. We are responding today by recognizing the heroic lifesaving efforts of people like Daniel Hernandez, who delivered aid to Congresswoman Giffords; to those who tackled the gunman; to Dorwan Stoddard, who shielded his wife from the gunfire, selflessly giving his own life that she might live. We are responding today by joining John and Roxanna Green in mourning the loss of their 9-year-old daughter, Christina, as well as the friends and families of Dorothy Morris and Phyllis Schneck.

We in the Arizona delegation are proud of the wonderful State that we, together with more than 6 million of our friends and neighbors, call home. Arizona is defined not by the actions of a lone crazed gunman, but by the heroism and bravery of those who left us on Saturday and those, like our friend and colleague, Gabby Giffords, who will continue to lead us in the future.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Quayle).

Mr. Speaker, let me just say how nice it is to have you presiding and another Arizonan controlling time on that side and so many in the delegation here today. We are a close delegation.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Lummis).