Exactly one year ago today, in Tucson, Arizona, a diverse group of Americans came together to meet their member of Congress and to make their voices heard in the best tradition of our beloved democracy. This great meeting of neighbors and friends, this great exchange of dialogue and discourse was shattered by a tragic act of mindless violence.
Today, at 10:11 A.M., bells rang all across Tucson in memory of the tragic shooting that took place one year ago.
Today is to remember the fallen -- six beloved Americans whose passion and purpose enriched the lives of so many others. Today is to recount the heroic actions of ordinary Americans and first responders alike who jumped into the fray, saved lives and prevented even greater heartbreak.
Today is to give thanks for the 13 Americans who survived. One of those survivors, Representative Gabrielle Giffords, is a public servant whose dedication and determination is unsurpassed. I am honored to call her both colleague and friend.
Today is to embrace the lessons of the shooting's aftermath -- how the Tucson community, heartbroken but unbowed, came together as one and inspired an entire nation in the process.
Today is to promise that the best angels of our nature will always drive our actions. A promise to protect our family, to honor our friends and to empower our community. A promise to give thanks for the living and to honor John, Dorothy, Phyllis, Mavy, Gabe and Christina -- six brave Americans who animate what is right and true in all of us.
Congressman Michael Honda is Silicon Valley's Representative. He has represented the 15th Congressional District of California in the U.S. House of Representatives for a decade. In Congress, Rep. Honda is a member of the House Appropriations and Budget Committees and chair emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
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Follow Rep. Mike Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/repmikehonda
Dennis A. Henigan: Thousands Lit Candles Against the Darkness of Gun Violence
towards a more peaceful society.
"Mr. Reagan was wounded in the chest by the same gun that left Mr. Brady with brain damage and in a wheelchair. Mr. Brady and his wife, Sarah, as leaders of an organization called Handgun Control Inc., have been at the center of lobbying in Congress for the seven-day waiting period.
The Brady bill would establish a seven-day waiting period in which local police agencies could, but would not have to, conduct background checks on would-be handgun purchasers to see if they had criminal records or had been confined to a mental institution. A gun dealer would have to give the local law-enforcement agency the name, address and birthdate of a prospective buyer. The sale would be allowed seven days later unless the police halted it after determining that possession of a gun by the prospective purchaser would violate any local, state or Federal laws.
After his speech this morning, Mr. Reagan went to the White House, where he said he hoped to persuade the man who was his Vice President to support the bill. When asked later whether he had persuaded Mr. Bush, Mr. Reagan replied, "I'm trying to.""
http://newsbusters.org/today-spike-lee-attacks-nra-calls-usa-most-violent-country-history-civilization.html
If Rep. Giffords were an average employee at an average company, she probably would have lost her job and health insurance by now. I wonder how many of the 13 survivors ( 12 of whom we hear little about) managed their medical costs and other expenses brought about by this tragedy.
The media totally sidesteps the cost issue when it can be central to a person's recovery. If you can't afford rehab you don't get it. If you can't afford specizialized care, you don't get it.
My guess is the cost of her care will reach the millions by the time she's headed home for good. And, while the cost of care is a topic for another post, I'm glad she's getting the care she needs.
But if she and her husband were just like you and me, they'd be facing insurmountable bills leading to bankruptcy and possiblity divorce.
Get Well, Rep. Giffords and come back to Congress prepared to assure that all of us can get access to affordable, quality medical care.
Wow! just wow.
I can see her being labelled a hero by lefties if she uses her personal experience to influence legislation to restrict the rights guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment. And, of course, this is what the left is hoping will happen.