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Guest Post: Tragedy in Tucson

By The Pullins Group LLC

By Congressman Bob Gibbs (R) Ohio 18

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last weekend, a horrible tragedy reminded me that while many of us have a difference in opinions, we are all still Americans. My colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), was shot while hosting a public event to meet with her constituents in Tucson, Arizona. Thankfully, the Congresswoman survived the attack and her doctors are very optimistic about her recovery. Others were not as fortunate. Six people were killed in the attack and fourteen others were injured.

Congresswoman Giffords was attacked while doing the people?s business by freely and openly meeting with her constituents at their local neighborhood grocery store. While this unfathomable act has required members of Congress to review security procedures, this senseless tragedy must not cause elected officials to retreat from going out in their districts and meeting with the people they represent. As your Representative in Washington, I regularly travel throughout the district to meet with constituents and listen to your opinions and concerns. I will not let this barbaric act of violence deter me from fulfilling my responsibility to you. Nor should you be afraid to participate in our democracy. As we go forward, I will continue to make myself available through monthly town hall meetings and other venues. The safety of my constituents and my staff is the highest priority for me. As advised by the U.S. Capitol Police, my District Director and I are already working with local law enforcement to ensure the security of all public events and my district office set to open in Zanesville.

Wednesday morning, I joined colleagues from both sides of the aisle as we held a prayer event and adopted a resolution honoring Congresswoman Giffords and the memory the victims. The resolution also condemns the horrific attack in the strongest possible terms. We stand firm in our belief in a democracy in which all can participate and in which intimidation and threats of violence cannot silence the voices of any American.

Both my wife and I send our thoughts and prayers to Congresswoman Giffords, her family, staff, and the loved ones of those impacted by the tragedy in Arizona. My family grieves for those innocent lives lost and prays for the swift and full recovery of those courageous individuals still fighting for their lives.

If you would like to send your well wishes to Congresswoman Giffords, her family or staff, please email: GiffordsWellWishes@gmail.com

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Full post as published by The Pullins Report on January 14, 2011 (boomark / email).