Last night the President spoke to an emotional crowd at a memorial event in Tucson, Arizona. The grief for the victims of the tragic shooting there was overwhelming, but so too was the admiration for the heroes who risked their lives to prevent even greater loss, as well as the hope for the survivors to see full recoveries. The President asked those in the hall and across America to channel their emotions toward the pursuit of a more perfect union, saying that "If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate — as it should — let’s make sure it’s worthy of those we have lost." Watch the President's remarks in full:
One particularly hopeful moment in the President's speech came when he relayed the news that Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who he had visited earlier in the day, had just opened her eyes in her hospital bed for the first time. On the flight back aboard Air Force One, two of Rep. Giffords' good friends in Congress — Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz — talked about what it was like to be there for that moment:
Fonte: White House