Bits Bucket for January 8, 2011

This is a terrible tragedy; hopefully the Congresswoman, who was initially reported dead, will survive.

January 8, 2011

Arizona Rep. Giffords Shot At Public Event In Tucson
by NPR Staff

A gunman opened fire Saturday onto a crowd at a public event held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Ariz., critically injuring the congresswoman and killing at least five people.

The dead included U.S. District Judge John Roll, U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales told The Associated Press. Giffords, who was shot in the head, was among at least 13 people injured, according to the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff’s office.

President Obama, in a statement, said “we know that some have passed away” and that Giffords was “gravely wounded.”

NPR and other news organizations reported earlier Saturday that Giffords had died. NPR member station KJZZ in Phoenix reported the congresswoman and six others had been killed by the gunman.
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About Gabrielle Giffords
Personal
* Born: June 8, 1970, in Tucson
* Family: Married to Mark Kelly, a Navy pilot and astronaut with NASA; two children
* Home: Tucson, Ariz.
* Religion: Jewish
Career
* U.S. House Representative, elected 2006
* State senator, Arizona 2002-05
* State representative, Arizona 2000-02
* CEO El Campo Tire 1997-00
* Price Waterhouse Coopers 1996-97

Education
* Scripps College, BA, 1993
* Cornell University, MS, 1996
* Fulbright Scholar in Mexico, 1996

Her fellow Arizona congressman, Republican Jeff Flake, reached Saturday on his way to the hospital recalled that he had last spoken with Giffords on the House floor during this week’s swearing-in ceremony.

“We have a fairly small delegation and we’ve met often,” he said of Giffords, who in November beat back a tough challenge from a Tea Party-endorsed opponent.

“She got re-elected because she’s tenacious,” Flake said. “There was a very strong headwind against all Democrats and people did not expect her to come back to Congress.

“But she was tireless,” he said. “Others may have held back after things happen — like the damage to her office. She was fearless.”

Flake said emotions have been running high in Arizona over issues, including immigration.

“That’s obviously an issue that is a very passionate one for a lot of people,” he said.

In a statement released by his office, House Speaker John Boehner said he was “horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve….this is a sad day for our country.”
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View the original article here