Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-01-08

FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ARIZONA MASS SHOOTING

Gun Policy

Context

On 2026-01-08, Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4) delivered a floor speech titled "FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ARIZONA MASS SHOOTING" in the House. The speech addressed gun policy.

Full Text

FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ARIZONA MASS SHOOTING

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)] [House] [Page H140] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ARIZONA MASS SHOOTING (Mr. Stanton of Arizona was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark a solemn anniversary. Fifteen years ago today, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was doing her job, holding a ``Congress on Your Corner'' event at a grocery store in Tucson, standing outside in the January sunshine, listening to her constituents, figuring out how she could help them. Then the unthinkable happened. In an instant, this moment of democracy turned into a tragedy. A gunman targeting Congresswoman Giffords killed six of our fellow Arizonans: Federal Judge John Roll, a dedicated public servant; Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, beloved members of the community; 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, born on September 11, 2001, a budding public servant who had just been elected to her middle school student council; and Gabe Zimmerman, Gabby's director of community research who died doing the work that he loved. Thirteen others were wounded, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. She survived a gunshot wound to her head through the sheer force of her will, exceptional medical care, and the unwavering support of her husband, Captain Mark Kelly. I worked closely with Gabby when she was in the State legislature, and I served on the Phoenix City Council. She was a singularly talented leader, brilliant and tough as nails, with the rare gift for bringing people together. There is no doubt in my mind that if it were not for that day, Gabby Giffords would be sitting in the United States Senate right now or the Governor's office, maybe even the White House. We have seen the consequences when political disagreements metastasize into something darker. In the last few years, political violence has increased in frequency and intensity, and this violence has been directed at both Republicans and Democrats. Gabby Giffords herself has shown us the path forward. Despite a long and difficult recovery that continues to this very day, she has transformed unimaginable tragedy into courageous action. Through GIFFORDS, the organization she cofounded with Mark Kelly, she leads the fight for a future free from gun violence, not with bitterness, but with courage, determination, and with hope. Her example stands as a rebuke to the cynicism that too often characterizes our politics. Gabby reminds us that we can disagree and disagree strongly while still recognizing the fundamental humanity in one another. We can fight for our principles without demonizing our opponents. On this 15th anniversary, we honor those who we lost by recommitting ourselves to the work that they believed in, a democracy where disagreement is not just tolerated but celebrated, where robust debate strengthens rather than threatens our institutions, and where every American can engage in civic life without fear. That is the America Gabby Giffords fought for then. That is the America she fights for now, and that is the America we must build together. ____________________

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FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ARIZONA MASS SHOOTING Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)] [House] [Page H140] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ARIZONA MASS SHOOTING (Mr. Stanton of Arizona was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark a solemn anniversary. Fifteen years ago today, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was doing her job, holding a ``Congress on Your Corner'' event at a grocery store in Tucson, standing outside in the January sunshine, listening to her constituents, figuring out how she could help them. Then the unthinkable happened. In an instant, this moment of democracy turned into a tragedy. A gunman targeting Congresswoman Giffords killed six of our fellow Arizonans: Federal Judge John Roll, a dedicated public servant; Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, beloved members of the community; 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, born on September 11, 2001, a budding public servant who had just been elected to her middle school student council; and Gabe Zimmerman, Gabby's director of community research who died doing the work that he loved. Thirteen others were wounded, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. She survived a gunshot wound to her head through the sheer force of her will, exceptional medical care, and the unwavering support of her husband, Captain Mark Kelly. I worked closely with Gabby when she was in the State legislature, and I served on the Phoenix City Council. She was a singularly talented leader, brilliant and tough as nails, with the rare gift for bringing people together. There is no doubt in my mind that if it were not for that day, Gabby Giffords would be sitting in the United States Senate right now or the Governor's office, maybe even the White House. We have seen the consequences when political disagreements metastasize into something darker. In the last few years, political violence has increased in frequency and intensity, and this violence has been directed at both Republicans and Democrats. Gabby Giffords herself has shown us the path forward. Despite a long and difficult recovery that continues to this very day, she has transformed unimaginable tragedy into courageous action. Through GIFFORDS, the organization she cofounded with Mark Kelly, she leads the fight for a future free from gun violence, not with bitterness, but with courage, determination, and with hope. Her example stands as a rebuke to the cynicism that too often characterizes our politics. Gabby reminds us that we can disagree and disagree strongly while still recognizing the fundamental humanity in one another. We can fight for our principles without demonizing our opponents. On this 15th anniversary, we honor those who we lost by recommitting ourselves to the work that they believed in, a democracy where disagreement is not just tolerated but celebrated, where robust debate strengthens rather than threatens our institutions, and where every American can engage in civic life without fear. That is the America Gabby Giffords fought for then. That is the America she fights for now, and that is the America we must build together. ____________________