TUCSON — At an afternoon event Sunday at the University of Arizona, many gathered to speak about the Tucson shooting victims. Colorado Sen. Mark Udall, who was born and raised in Tucson, spoke about Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
He praised Giffords for working for the good of the country and said other politicians can learn from her and move away from incendiary comments.
“Although Gabby now struggles with her words at times, we know what she’s trying to say,” Udall said. “It’s a simple concept. Words matter, and these days you don’t hear our elected officials using words to bring us together. Too often words are used as weapons.”
At the same event, 9-year-old Christina- Taylor Green’s two best friends recalled a girl who aspired to dance with Beyonce, to be the first woman in Major League Baseball and one day be elected president of the United States.
“She wasn’t afraid of boys or sports or anything,” Serenity Hammrich said, wearing a black dress and standing with Jamie Stone on stage while many in the audience wept. “When she made student council, I was so happy for her. She believed it was important to help others, to try to make a difference in the school and to put others first.”
The Rev. Andrew Ross spoke for shooting victim and his congregant Phyllis Schneck.
“I remember just shaking, and as I shared with my congregation, my immediate response was anger, in fact rage, that someone would once again do this to a member of our flock,” Ross said. “And so it’s good for us to be honest and admit it’s not easy remembering this day. We have to be honest about that.”
The Associated Press
