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Washington, D.C. - Like most people, I was stunned last Saturday to hear of the tragedy that occurred in Tucson, Arizona. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others were shot while meeting outside a local grocery store. While the gunfire that pierced last Saturday’s morning air will not change the way our representative democracy works, it will have a devastating and lasting impact on the shooting victims and it reminded us all of life’s fragile nature.
Saturday in Tucson began as a normal day in our democracy. Representative Giffords was holding a public meeting with her constituents. Those in attendance came for any number of reasons. Some probably wanted to offer their opinions on issues important to them. Others might have needed help to solve a problem they were having with the federal government. The day ended in the unthinkable – one gunman, six dead, and thirteen others fighting for their lives.
This week we are left to pray for the wounded and mourn those whose lives were taken. We know some of their stories. Christina Taylor Green was a 9-year-old girl who was at the event because she had an interest in public service and wanted to meet her Congresswoman. Judge John Roll was chief judge for the District of Arizona, who had just come from Mass when he stopped to say hello to Representative Giffords. He was the father of three and grandfather of five. Dorothy Morris was 76 years old and attended with her husband of more than 50 years. Phyllis Schneck was a mother of three and grandmother of seven, and a great grandmother from New Jersey. Dorwan Stoddard was a 76-year old retired construction worker and church volunteer who was killed while shielding his wife, Mavy. And, Gabriel Zimmerman was at the event doing his job as the Congresswoman’s Director of Community Outreach.
Over the next days, weeks, and months we are going to continue to learn more about what led to this horrible crime, the events as they unfolded, and, we will learn even more about the heroic acts of the individuals who subdued the gunman. But, one of the most important things we can learn will not take any investigation. That is that life is fragile. We never know when we will be called from this life.
In response to this tragedy, Congress appropriately did what it can – we passed a resolution that condemned the senseless attack, mourned the loss of life that occurred on that day, applauded the courage of those who risked their own lives so that others might live and thanked the first responders and health care personnel whose skills and quick action saved lives. I hope that you will take some time to remember the victims and pray for those who are fighting for their lives and for the healing of the families whose loved ones were taken from them. But, just as importantly, I hope you will make sure to tell your loved ones exactly how you feel about them.
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