Dutch Ruppersberger, 1/10/11

Ruppersberger: My Thoughts and Prayers are With Congresswoman Giffords and the Families Affected by This Tragedy

January 10, 2011 4:55 PM
Ruppersberger Meets with His Staff to Discuss Beefing Up Security

(Timonium, MD) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is shocked and saddened by the tragic events in Arizona over the weekend involving Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her staff, and her constituents.

“First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her family, and the families of everyone involved in this unimaginable tragedy. I wish my friend Gabby a speedy and full recovery. She is a competent, compassionate and courageous public servant just doing her job when she was viciously attacked. My heart also goes out to the families who lost loved ones.

What happened in Arizona is a senseless tragedy. Every American has a right to express their opinion on whatever issue they choose, but there is no place in our society for this kind of violence. I traveled to Iraq with Gabby several years ago. We walked the streets of Baghdad together and did not face the violence she faced over the weekend in her own country,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

First thing this morning, Congressman Ruppersberger met with his staff in both his Maryland and DC offices to discuss ways to beef up security to keep his staff and his constituents safe. The Congressman has asked Capital Police to conduct a thorough threat assessment of his Maryland office and advise him on how to improve security at public events.

“I know as a Congressman I am a potential target, but I want to make sure people who come to talk to me at public meeting are safe as well. No one should have to think twice about their safety when they go to speak to their Congressman or attend a town hall meeting. That’s the real tragedy here. It’s an attack on the democratic process,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).