President Obama addressed a crowded stadium of mourners at the University of Arizona last night during a memorial ceremony for the victims of Saturday’s shooting in Tucson, Arizona.  Obama eulogized the six victims who lost their lives when a gunman open fired at an event in a grocery store parking lot in an alleged attempt to assassinate U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.  He also shared the hopeful news that, after surviving a point-blank gunshot wound to the head, Congresswoman Giffords had just opened her eyes for the first time since the shooting. 

With people across the United States broken-hearted for the victims of this tragedy, the President also emphasized that their lives and sacrifice are emblematic of the strength and resilience of American democracy.  He called on all Americans to make public debate around areas of disagreement respectful and worthy of the memory of those who were killed and wounded.  “Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame,” he said, “let’s use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy and remind ourselves of all the ways that our hopes and dreams are bound together.”

Obama paid particular tribute to 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, who was born during the national tragedy of September 11, 2001, and killed in the shooting.  As audience members wiped away tears, Obama characterized Christina’s young life as a poignant reminder of the hope children bear for the future.  “I want to live up to her expectations,” Obama said. “I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it.  I want America to be as good as she imagined it.  All of us – we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children’s expectations.” 

Read the full transcript of President Obama’s remarks.