Congressman Elijah E. Cummings floor speech regarding Tucson shootings

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings
Speech regarding Tucson shootings
January 12, 2011

Mr./Madam Speaker:

Like every speaker today, I rise with a heavy heart.

Our friend Gabrielle Giffords lies in a hospital bed, fighting for her life.

At the same time, dozens are in mourning for those killed in a senseless slaughter, including Judge
John Roll and our own Gabe Zimmerman, Congresswoman Giffords’ director of public outreach.

We join them in a grieving process that is painful beyond words.

To those families, particularly that of Gabe, who reached out in Gabby’s voice each and every day, we weep for your loss and know of the constant ache left in your hearts by the sudden loss of those you loved; and we are blessed to join you in the celebration of their lives.

And as we mourn those who were lost, we triumph, with equal emotion, in miracles. By the mercy of God and the swift hands of our medical heroes, Gabrielle Giffords and many of those wounded by this madman have been saved.

When I heard of this tragedy, I immediately asked a question that each of us here must have wondered dozens of times. How could anyone hate, or seek to harm, this wonderful public servant, this beautiful person, who has never spoken a cross word nor showed a downcast expression throughout her time in this House?

Though these answers are painfully slow in coming, I pray her return to the warm embrace of her family will be swift.

More selfishly, because she is my friend, and because I see in her the pure heart of a servant, I pray she will return to this chamber as soon as possible, to continue her work for the people of Arizona, whom she so treasures. Gabby knows at her core that she is an ordinary person called to an extraordinary mission.

Gabby, you are a champion among champions, a friend among friends, and a fighter among fighters for the common good. We are all pulling for you. Get well soon Gabby, we can’t wait for you to come back to us.

I yield back.