The Hill News

"My thoughts and prayers are with my good friend and colleague Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords and the other victims of today's tragic shooting. I am praying for the swift healing and speedy recovery of all who have been wounded. And I send my deepest sympathies to the families of all those who have been victimized by this unconscionable act of violence."

â€"Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.)

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who perished in this horrific and senseless tragedy. I am praying for a speedy recovery for Congresswoman Giffords and the others wounded in today’s tragic shooting.”

â€"Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)

“Today’s news of the shooting of my colleague Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff and her constituents is shocking and horrifying, and my deepest condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives today in such a senseless and tragic event. Gabby is a true Congressional Superstar â€" savvy, sharp, sincere and as sunny as the state she heralds from. Gabby was doing today what she loved best, and what all of us in Congress consider a great responsibility and a true honor â€" to meet with and listen to our constituents. My thoughts and prayers are! with her and her family, and with all of those wounded today in the hopes for a full and speedy recovery."

â€"Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.)

“Congresswoman Giffords has been an honorary Co-Chair of Third Way for more than four years. We have been honored to know and to work with her and her fine staff, and we are devastated by the horror that they have been subjected to today. We don’t yet know â€" and may never understand â€" what drove the assailant in this case to such a terrible crime. But we do know that politics has become too personal, too nasty and perhaps too dangerous. We are heartened by the outpouring of concern and respect from all corners of the political world. Perhaps out of this senseless act some sense can return to our public discourse.”

â€"Third Way President Jonathan Cowan

"During tragic times like these, we should evaluate ourselves and the atmosphere that our State carries. Today, the Arizona Republic stated that Giffords believed the 1070 law was “divisive,” and we believe she is absolutely correct to this regard. As Arizonans, have we done enough to reduce the hate and to encourage a healthy climate? The divisiveness and the hatred that Arizonans continue to witness is palpable and enormous, and we fear that hate will breed murder."

â€"Somos Republicans

"On behalf of all the members of the National Education Association, I wish to express my deep concern about the attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. We know that she is under the best of care and is surrounded by the love from her family. The NEA and Arizona Education Association join with the heartfelt support of her community in wishing her a speedy and complete recovery. Rep. Giffords is a dedicated public servant and has made outstanding cont! ributions to Arizona."

â€"NEA President Dennis Van Roekel

“The shooting in Tucson is a terrible tragedy and a senseless act of violence. My thoughts and prayers go out to Rep. Giffords, all the victims, and their families.”

â€"Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.)

“Congresswoman Giffords is a brilliant and dedicated public servant who works tirelessly for the people of her district. I'm privileged to serve with her in the U.S. Congress and I'm honored to call her my friend. Today's shootings, during a meeting between Rep. Giffords and her neighbors, were a cowardly attack on our democracy.”

â€"Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.)

"As officials, it is one of the greatest honors to represent the needs and concerns of our residents, and we will not allow the deplorable actions of one effect our ability to serve our districts, states and country.”

â€"Rep. Robert Dold (R-Ill.)

"Today's horrifying shooting in Tucson shocks the conscience of decent Americans everywhere. When such an unspeakable act occurs, and lives are taken in violence, we rightly respond with comfort and support because that is the only way we know to show that evil does not triumph over goodness in the world. I offer my prayers to all the victims and their families, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords, and look forward to the swift and harsh punishment that awaits the perpetrator of this cowardly attack.”

â€"Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.)

"This senseless attack on a leader like Congresswoman Giffords and working Arizonans has no place in a democratic society like ours. From reports I have received from United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 99 President Jim McLaughlin, it appears that no Safeway grocery store workers represented by UFCW 99 were hurt in the shooting. Today, I and other leaders in the labor movement are asking union members and all Arizonans to keep Congresswoman Giffords, the other victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers."

â€"Rebekah Friend, executive director and secretary/treasurer of the Arizona AFL-CIO

"Congresswoman Giffords is a good friend and colleague. Gabby has worked tirelessly to improve the civility in Congress, earning her the respect of people everywhere. Having worked with her, I know she is a strong woman with a passion for life, family, friends and our country. Let us all pray for the strength to carry Gabby through this terrible ordeal. This event is a personal tragedy for everyone involved, and indeed a tragedy for our nation."

-â€"Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.)

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff, and constituents in Arizona. We have had the privilege to get to know Congresswoman Giffords as our respected colleague in Congress and on our Committee. She has always demonstrated a strong commitment to serving her constituents, the men and women of our armed forces, and our nation. She has brought grace, class, integrity, and civility to Congress. Our heartfelt prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, the other victims of this tragedy, and all of the families and loved ones affected by this heinous event.”

â€"Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and Howard Berman (D-Calif.), chairwoman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

"I am sickened by the horrific attack in Tucson today and saddened by this senseless violence. This is a tragedy for Arizona, our nation, and our democracy. Gabrielle never let fear or intimidation prevent her from serving the people of Arizona. My thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her husband Mark, her staff, all those who were injured, and their families."

â€"Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.)

"This is a tragic day for Gabrielle and her family, the Congress and for the United States. While the circumstances of this event are not yet clear, violence such as this cannot and will not be tolerated by the American people. Gabrielle is a friend. We have worked together on many legislative issues before the Science and Technology Committee including NASA and Solar energy. She has done an outstanding job representing the interests of her district in Arizona and the nation. My thoughts and prayers are with Gabrielle, her family and others who were savagely shot today including members of her staff."

â€"Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas)

“My thoughts and prayers go out to Gabby and her staff. Gabby is one of the dearest, sweetest members of the House. Like so many members of Congress, I consider her a personal friend. This incredible tragedy is obviously a heinous crime. I hope that law enforcement and prosecutors act swiftly and justly to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice.”

â€"House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (Texas)

“We are all deeply saddened by the news that my colleague Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff have been victims of such an unconscionable act. Like so many Americans, I am in shock at this senseless act of violence. My thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, the Giffords family, and all of those affected by this tragedy."

â€"Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.)

"We want all the families to know that we were there then, and we are with them now. Our thoughts, our hopes â€" we pray that they can feel them and know just a small measure of peace. We pray that they understand how committed we long have been to making our beloved country a place where gun violence doesn’t happen so easily and destroy so many. We offer our condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. We offer our assistance, in any way that it might be helpful, to those who have survived and will struggle, as we have, to heal from the unspeakable horror of gun violence."

â€"Jim and Sarah Brady, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a remarkable public servant shot while meeting with constituents today. Rep. Giffords is a member of Reform Congregation Chaverim in Tucson, and our entire community shares her family’s concern and pain. ...We do not yet know the specific motive behind this despicable act. But there can be no ignoring the increasing culture of violence in our nation and particularly in our political discourse."

â€"Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism