A gunman opened fire outside a Tuscon, Arizona supermarket on Saturday where a congresswoman was meeting with constituents. U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and critically wounded; six other people at the event, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge, were killed.
A shaken President Obama called the horrifying attack "a tragedy for our entire country," and Giffords' Florida colleagues were quick to condemn the violence and offer condolences and messages of support.
Here are excerpts from their their statements and comments:
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL/Miramar):
Gabby is truly a nice person, highly principled and tenacious. The attack on her, staff members, constituents and bystanders is incredibility senseless...Once all the facts are known, appropriate authorities should see to it that her attacker is brought to justice swiftly. All persons in America should call for our society to teach tolerance, love, and civility.
Congressman Allen West (R-FL/Plantation):
Today, the prayers of myself, my family, and my staff go out to the family of Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, and the constituents of the Eighth Congressional District of Arizona. The United State House of Representatives and all Americans are praying for these faithful servants to our Republic.
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Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL/Weston):
I am sickened...Gabby is one of my closest friends....
Anyone who knows Gabby, knows that she is one of the nicest people you will meet. I’ve never heard her raise her voice in anger or express anything but optimism for our future and our nation.
Just two days after she stood on the floor of the House of Representatives and read from the 1st Amendment of the Constitution guaranteeing free speech, she was shot while speaking with her constituents. The interaction of a Member of Congress with the people they represent is one of the greatest tenets of our democracy. I know how strongly Gabby feels about being accessible to the people that she represents. ...No one, not a Member of Congress, nor a dedicated public servant should have to fear for their safety while working to uphold our democracy.
And to the people and family members of the public attacked at this event, you are in my thoughts and prayers. The American public should not have to worry that they will suffer a violent attack while carrying out their right to petition their government.
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL/Miami):
I applaud her service to our Nation and to her constituents and condemn this cowardly and dispicable attack. I will continue to pray for her recovery and that she may join us again on Capitol Hill.
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL/Miami):
I am shocked and horrified by today's news. Violence of any kind has no place in our country and must be condemned in the strongest terms. It is my hope that this is not an instance where political differences lead to further violence.
Congressman David Rivera (R-FL/Miami):
There is no room for attacks like this in a free society where we have the luxury of an open exchange of ideas. This is a sad day for our country.
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), chairman of the Senate Commerce Space and Science Subcommittee:
My prayers go out to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all the victims, as well as to our NASA family, which includes her husband, who is training to be the next commander of the space shuttle mission slated for April, and her brother-in-law, who is currently serving aboard the International Space Station.
Former Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL/Miami):
She’s a very kind person. She has a very nice spirit, soft-spoken, hard-working. It was not out of character for her to be at a grocery store doing constituent meet and greet because that’s what kind of person she is.
U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL/Miami), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on which Giffords also serves:
Gabby had these meetings at grocery stores as part of her regular congressional work. This is just a real shock and a terrible, terrible situation. We pray for everyone who’s been injured in this. It’s just horrific.
