Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who was scheduled to deliver her state of the state address today, instead used the occasion to mourn the past weekend’s shooting in Tucson, and to call on the nation to persevere.
“I had intended to deliver a state of the state address today, remarks that outline an exciting and solid plan for job creation, education and tax reform,” Brewer said. “And I will deliver that plan to you, but not now, not today.”
“Tragedy and terror sometimes comes from the shadows to steal our joy and take away our peace,” Brewer went on. “That happened on Saturday, when a gunman took away people we love, innocent people.”
Brewer then called for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tragedy and their families, naming each of the six people killed including 9-year-old Christina Green and Arizona’s Chief Federal Judge John M. Roll. President Obama had led the nation in a moment of silence earlier today.
TPM Slideshow: Dem Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona
Daniel Hernandez, an intern for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who may have saved the congresswoman’s life by rushing in to staunch the bleeding from her head wound, received a standing ovation when Brewer praised him for his selfless action. Brewer also called the ‘Congress on Your Corner’ event, where the shooting took place, a “picture of what our country is all about,” and praised Rep. Giffords for joining her in serving Arizona.
Brewer said the attack was not just a local incident, but one that had impacted the country and its democratic foundation. However, she also pleaded for Americans to stay strong, and assured that resilience would win out over the lingering pain.
Brewer said:
Saturday’s events were not just an attack on those individuals we loved and lost, but an assault on our constitutional republic, on our democracy, on all we treasure and all hold dear as citizens and public servants. Arizona is in pain, yes. Our grief is profound. We are yet in the first hours of our sorrow, but we have not been brought down. We will never be brought down.
Watch highlights from the address:
