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House will issue resolution condemning Arizona shooting

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The House of Representatives on Wednesday will honor the victims, survivors and heroes of the Tucson shooting with a resolution that “condemns in the strongest possible terms” Saturday’s attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).

“The House of Representatives … honors the service and leadership of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, a distinguished member of this House, as she courageously fights to recover,” states the four-page resolution.

The text, released Tuesday afternoon by the House Rules Committee, also says the House “stands firm in its belief in a democracy in which all can participate and in which intimidation and threats of violence cannot silence the voices of any American.” And it reaffirms “the bedrock principle” of the nation as captured in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, read just last week on the floor by Giffords.

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Each of the six people who died is mentioned by name, including Giffords’ director of community outreach, Gabriel Zimmerman. Two other staffers who were injured in the rampage are also honored.

The resolution also applauds first-responders who acted to save lives, and those at the scene who prevented the gunman from potentially taking more lives and helped to save those who had been wounded.

The resolution will be the only legislative activity in Congress this week, with a previously scheduled vote in the House on repealing health reform postponed as lawmakers react to Saturday’s tragedy. The resolution is expected to be adopted by a voice vote, in recognition of the fact that many members may choose to remain in their districts. The House will then adjourn, doing so out of respect to the victims of the attack.

In addition to the vote and a bipartisan prayer service Wednesday, members and their staffs are to be briefed by Capitol Police about additional security measures that may be taken in the wake of the shooting at Giffords’ “Congress on Your Corner” event.

President Obama and his wife will be traveling to Tucson for a public memorial at the University of Arizona.

mmemoli@tribune.com

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