January 8, 2012

Jeb Hensarling

WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) issued the following statement today to honor the victims of the shooting in Tucson, Arizona on the tragedy’s first anniversary: Christina-Taylor Green, Dorothy “Dot” Morris, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, Gabriel “Gabe” Zimmerman, Chief Federal Judge John Roll, and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who survived the incident.

“A year has gone by since Americans were saddened and outraged by the horrific shooting in Tucson, Arizona.  The pain and sorrow of that day stays with us as we mark its first anniversary with the heaviest of hearts and deepest of sympathies for the victims and their loved ones. 

“As I bow my head in mournful prayer for the citizens we lost in that dark hour, I also give great thanks for the glimmering miracle that shined through.  Our colleague survived the shooting and inspired her entire nation in the process. I will continue to pray for her full recovery and safe return. The House is not whole without her.

“The loss of Gabe Zimmerman affected every Member of Congress and the members of our staff, even those who never had the honor of meeting him. As we mourn Gabe’s absence, we celebrate his heroism. He died in service of our country, and we owe him our gratitude.

“As Washington went back to doing the people’s business in the wake of this brutal tragedy, our nation’s law enforcement once again demonstrated why it’s the finest in the world by bringing the attacker to justice and ensuring that a similar crime has not been repeated.  The House Sergeant at Arms, the Capitol Hill police, and local law enforcement deserve our praise for their tireless labor to adapt to every new threat so that we may carry out the functions of our democracy in peace.

“This evil incident delivered a blow to our country’s heart and soul, but it also reaffirmed our national spirit. It let us show the whole world that no tragedy is so extreme or unexpected that it cannot be overcome by the strength and resilience that defines us as a people.”

###