CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON OFFERS A STATEMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

Washington, DC – (Monday, January 23, 2012) – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives:

“Congresswoman Giffords’ unbreakable spirit is a lesson that fear will not drive us.  Unity and the dedication to our democracy will help us rise above all adversity.

The victims of this tragedy were individuals who were committed to the well-being of their community. They had gathered that Saturday morning a year ago in Tucson to discuss making their community and our world a better place.  It is in good spirit that before Congresswoman Giffords resigns she has chosen to finish what she started by holding a private gathering in Tucson with some of the people who were at present that tragic day a year ago.

As Ranking Member on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology I have worked with Congresswoman Giffords closely for the past five years, where she served as both the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. She has made an immeasurable contribution to our work on the Committee, and has been a steadfast champion of NASA and encouraging our next generation of scientists. She is one of the most devoted Members of the House of Representatives, and has served our country with distinction.

Congresswoman Giffords is a shining example of our Democratic system of government – a system where we all have a voice.  As she departs these hallowed halls of Congress, I take comfort from the fact that she is doing so to devote her energies to restoring her full health, and I wish her the best in her continuing recovery. She and her family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

I pray that we can rise together as a nation and embody those values of service that Congresswoman Giffords has personified.”

###

U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek,Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.