On the ninth anniversary of the Jan. 8, 2011 Tucson, Ariz. shooting that left then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords with a near-fatal head wound Arizona lawmakers introduced a bill designating the permanent January 8th Memorial, which is under construction in Tucson, as a national memorial to be affiliated with the National Park System.
On January 8th, 2011, a gunman opened-fire on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords “Congress on Your Corner” event being held at a grocery store in Tucson. The shooting wounded 13 and killed six members of our community. Congresswoman Giffords was among those wounded. The January 8th National Memorial Act aims to bolster the Memorial’s standing and recognize the events as a national tragedy followed by an incredible outpouring of support throughout our community and the whole country.
On the Senate side, the bipartisan legislation is led by U.S. Senators Martha McSally and Kyrsten Sinema. On the House side, Representative Ann Kirkpatrick introduced the legislation with the full support of the other eight members of Arizona’s U.S. delegation.
“Nine years ago today, a horrific attack in Tucson shook our community to the core. As Americans, we must all stand united against these senseless acts of violence on our representative government,” McSally said. “Our bill will allow for a permanent January 8th Memorial as a tribute to the lives lost and as a reminder of what makes our method of governing so great.”
“The heartbreaking attack that took place nine years ago today didn’t just impact my hometown of Tucson, it shook the nation. The memorial will honor the victims but also celebrate the resilience of my community, and that resilience deserves to be elevated,” added Kirkpatrick. “I am proud to work with my Arizona colleagues on introducing this legislation shinning a light, nationally, on the good resilience that can defeat hateful violence.”
The legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate.
