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Saturday, January 8, 2011

Statement of Congressman Pedro Pierluisi in Response to Today’s Act of Violence Against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- The Resident Commissioner, Pedro Pierluisi, said that he was saddened and shocked by the act of violence committed today against his congressional colleague, Gabrielle Giffords, who represents Tucson, Arizona.

“We should reject any and all acts of violence. In this case, we are talking about an incident that occurred at an event sponsored by one of my colleagues, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, so this hits me particularly hard,” said the Resident Commissioner.

“If there is anything we should praise and encourage, it is public servants meeting directly with their constituents like Congresswoman Giffords was doing when she was brutally attacked. We must ensure that the full weight of the law is brought to bear here to minimize the chances that such an incident will ever happen again,” added Pierluisi.

“My family, my staff and I ask God to watch over Gabrielle and her family, as well as the other victims, including her staffer who lost his life in this incident, in this terribly difficult time,” said the Resident Commissioner.

Congresswoman Giffords, who is 40 years old, represents Arizona’s 8th Congressional District and recently began her third term in the House.