Remarks of U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert
January 12, 2011
H. Res. 32, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the tragic shooting in Tucson Arizona

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to express my condolences to families and loved ones of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her staffer Gabe Zimmerman, and all the victims of last Saturday’s shooting.

Like all my colleagues here today, I have struggled to make sense out of this horrible tragedy since first hearing the news that our good friend and colleague had been viciously attacked.  As I watched the news, and learned about the innocent lives that had been cut short, it has become painfully clear that nothing will ever be able to truly explain such an atrocity. 

Politics is the art of genteel disagreement, and actions like those we witnessed last Saturday have no place, no excuse, no explanation, nor rationalization in our democratic system.

What I do know is that Gabrielle is still fighting hard for her life -- fighting with the same tenacity that fueled her passion for public service.  And I take comfort in the knowledge that my friend is winning that battle.  Like Gabrielle, we must never stop fighting for our great democracy and the time-honored traditions that keep it strong. 

Neither we, nor our constituents – all 300 plus million of them – will be intimidated by the violent actions of the few.  As Americans, we will come together and mourn for those who lost their lives that day.  And we will honor the survivors and heroes of this tragedy who stood strong together in the face of madness. 

Mr. Speaker, I join all my colleagues here today to express my support for this resolution.  And I know I speak for all my constituents in the 13th District of Illinois when I say that we share in the loss of our friends from Arizona, and our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time.