Gabrielle Giffords

Our country must be strong enough to solve problems, and that means we must learn how to work together again.

Gabrielle Dee "Gabby" Giffords (born 8 June 1970) is an American politician. She is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Arizona's 8th congressional district since 2007.

Sourced

My position is to listen to my constituents, learn from the best information available and ultimately make sound, rational decisions that are going to be beneficial to the people…

• My position is to listen to my constituents, learn from the best information available and ultimately make sound, rational decisions that are going to be beneficial to the people of the 8th Congressional District.
  • On her political positions during campaign — Stephanie Innes (August 11, 2009). "Giffords: Too soon to settle on a plan for health care". The Arizona Daily Star (Arizona): p. A1. 

• Our country must be strong enough to solve problems, and that means we must learn how to work together again.
  • Comment after winning re-election — Bill Hess (November 6, 2010). "Giffords wins re-election to U.S. House; Kelly says voters have spoken". Sierra Vista Herald (Arizona). 

• In the years that some of my colleagues have served — 20, 30 years — they’ve never seen it like this.
  • Discussing being "targeted" by Sarah Palin, in March 2010 interview with MSNBC — Jonathan Alter (January 10, 2011). "Can Obama Turn Tragedy Into Triumph?". Newsweek (Harman Newsweek LLC). Retrieved on 2011-01-10. 

• We're in Sarah Palin's 'targeted' list, but the thing is that the way she has it depicted, we're in the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they've got to realize that there are consequences to that action.
  • After experiencing vandalism directed at her congressional office in 2010 — Ben Quinn and Paul Gallagher (January 9, 2011). "US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot as six die in Arizona massacre". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media Limited). Retrieved on 2010-01-10. 

• Our office corner has really become an area where the Tea party movement congregates and the rhetoric is really heated. Not just the calls but the e-mails, the slurs.
  • Comment following a window being smashed at her congressional office in Arizona &mdash Richard Cowan (January 9, 2011). "Shooting could subdue overheated U.S. political rhetoric". National Post (Reuters). Retrieved on 2011-01-10.  alternate link

• But the safety of the world, in some sense, depends on your saying "no" to inhumane ideas. Standing up for one's own integrity makes you no friends. It is costly. Yet defiance of the mob, in the service of that which is right, is one of the highest expressions of courage I know.
  • Commencement address, Scripps College, 2009 — http://www.scrippscollege.edu/about/commencement/gabrielle-giffords.php

Quotes about Giffords

It's so typical of her that no matter how bad the situation might be for her, you know, she's lookin' out for other people. ~ Mark E. Kelly

• Gabby Giffords was a friend of mine. She is not only an extraordinary public servant, but she is also somebody who is warm and caring. She is well liked by her colleagues and well liked by her constituents.
  • President of the United States Barack Obama — Lee, Jesse (January 8, 2011). "The President Speaks on the Shootings in Tucson: "We Are Going to Get to the Bottom of This, and We’re Going to Get Through This"". The White House Blog (www.whitehouse.gov). Retrieved on 2011-01-10. 

• Congresswoman Giffords is a brilliant and courageous Member of Congress, bringing to Washington the views of a new generation of national leaders. It is especially tragic that she was attacked as she was meeting with her constituents whom she serves with such dedication and distinction.
  • Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi — "Pelosi Statement on Shooting Involving Congresswoman Giffords". Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (pelosi.house.gov). January 8, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-10. 

• The thoughts and prayers of the House and the nation are with Congresswoman Giffords and her family. We're also praying for the families of Judge Roll and all of those who were taken from us yesterday so senselessly. Among the fallen is Gabe Zimmerman, a member of Congresswoman Giffords' staff, and I've directed that the flags on the House side of the Capitol be flown at half mast in honor of Gabe's death in the line of duty. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Such acts of violence have no place in our society.
  • Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner — "Remarks: Speaker Boehner Addresses Tragic Shooting in Arizona". Speaker of the House John Boehner (speaker.house.gov). January 9, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-10. 

• My sister-in-law, Gabrielle Giffords, is a kind, compassionate, brilliant woman, loved by friends and political adversaries alike – a true patriot: What is going on in our country that such a good person can be the subject of such senseless violence? It's a sad day.
  • Astronaut and brother-in-law Scott J. Kelly — "Astronaut Husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords: There's 'Little That We Can Do But Pray'". SPACE.com (www.space.com). January 10, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-10. 

• She has a 101 percent chance of surviving. She will not die. She does not have that permission from me.
  • Peter M. Rhee, trauma chief of the University Medical Center at Tucson — "Doctor: Giffords has '101 percent chance' of surviving". MSNBC. January 11, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-12. 

Husband Mark E. Kelly on Giffords' recovery from the 2011 Tucson shooting:
"It was miraculous."

• At first I thought she was trying to strangle me ... It was miraculous.
  • Husband Mark E. Kelly, on Giffords opening her eyes while recovering from the 2011 Tucson shooting — Gupta, Sanjay (January 14, 2011). "Tucson: Heroes amidst the horror". CNN. Retrieved on 2011-01-14. 

• She's in the ICU. You know, gone through this traumatic injury. And she spent 10 minutes giving me a neck massage. I keep tellin' her. I'm like, 'Gabby, you're in the ICU. You know, you don't need -- you know, you don't need to be doin' this.' But it's so typical of her that no matter how bad the situation might be for her, you know, she's lookin' out for other people.
• Gabby's got a long road ahead of her. We know that the recovery from these [kinds] of injuries isn't measured in days and weeks. It's more like weeks and months. ... But, you know, she's a really, really tough woman.
  • Mark E. Kelly, on Giffords' ongoing recovery from the 2011 Tucson shooting — "Kelly: Injured Giffords cares for others". United Press International. January 17, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-17. 

See also

• Jared Lee Loughner
• John F. Kennedy
• Leo Ryan
• Ronald Reagan
• United States Congress

External links

• U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords official U.S. House site
  • Giffords Community Solar Energy Initiative
• Gabrielle Giffords for U.S. Congress official campaign site
• Congresswoman Giffords Action Plan to Improve Border Security
• Profile at SourceWatch
• Gabrielle Giffords: USAA member since 2007 in USAA Magazine
• Chip Berlet on "The Becking of Gabrielle Giffords" - video report by Democracy Now!