WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, January 14, 2011. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
In other developments on Monday, a variety of organizations issued statements on the Tucson rampage that left six dead and Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford hospitalized by a bullet wound through her head.
AARP— Arizona State Director David Mitchell released the following statement in the wake of the shooting involving Arizona Congresswoman Gabriella Giffords. “AARP members in Arizona and across the country join in grieving the profound human losses of yesterday’s tragic shooting, and we are here to support those forced to deal in the coming days and beyond with the physical and emotional damage inflicted upon them. This senseless act of violence claimed the lives of good people of all ages, and we join Americans everywhere in mourning their loss. For those victims and loved ones who survived, but suffer the wounds that we can see and the scars that we can’t, we offer the thoughts and prayers of the entire community of AARP members in Arizona and millions more nationwide.”
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American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC): ” Following the tragic shooting attack in Arizona on Saturday, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee wishes Rep. Gabrielle Giffords a speedy and full recovery. She is a true friend of the U.S.-Israel relationship and a strong advocate for all of the issues that matter most to us. Our thoughts are with her and her family and everybody affected by the deadly attack. ”
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Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: (Robert Bernstein, Executive Director) “Our hearts go out to Representative Giffords, her staff, and the residents of Tuscon who were victims of the tragic shooting this past Saturday. And while the details of the shooting and the history of the suspect are still to be determined, early information suggests that investigators may discover evidence of untreated mental illness. It would be a mistake to conclude that incidents such as this are characteristic of people who have mental illness. In fact, these events are very rare. Studies show that having a mental illness, in itself, does not increase one’s propensity to commit serious violence; other factors come into play, including co-occurring substance abuse, trauma and, perhaps in this instance, today’s vitriolic political climate. Over the past decades, a handful of similar tragedies—at Virginia Tech, in the New York City subway and elsewhere—raised immediate concerns about mental healthcare in this country. These concerns soon translated into efforts for quick-fixes, typically, efforts to enact laws making it easier to commit people to psychiatric hospitals or to court-order outpatient treatment. The fact that Arizona has had such laws in place for many years points to the hollowness of these solutions. The plain truth is that America’s mental healthcare system is horribly broken and horribly underfunded. And across the nation, budget cuts continue to eviscerate community mental health programs that reach out to vulnerable individuals and put them on a path to recovery. Our hope is that this time we will come together in the wake of tragedy in a different way. Rather than stigmatizing people who have mental illnesses with false stereotypes or pursuing laws that try to use courts to compensate for gaps in basic services, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law urges a meaningful effort to address the core issues here. The nation’s system of community mental healthcare, now struggling to provide even late-stage crisis services, should be equipped to ensure that early, effective assistance is available to people who need it. Media reports have highlighted Representative Giffords’ haunting, cautionary words about today’s heated political rhetoric. Another concern of Representative Giffords’ merits equal attention: as a state legislator and, more recently, on the Hill, Representative Giffords has a long, distinguished record of advocating for accessible mental health services and fighting the discrimination that burdens people who have mental illnesses. We at the Bazelon Center are grateful to Representative Giffords for her leadership in advocacy for mental health issues. We hope and pray that this tragic act brings at least some kind of silver lining; necessary mental health system reforms that she would be proud of.”
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The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is condemning Saturday’s attempted assassination of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the murders of six people including a federal judge and a 9-year-old child, for which a 22-year-old Tucson man is now facing charges. “Our sincere sympathy and sorrow goes to the victims of this heinous crime, and their families, who are in our thoughts and prayers,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan M. Gottlieb. “This was a despicable act of cowardice, and we believe the full force of law should be used against the individual responsible. “And speaking of despicable,” he continued, “we find it unconscionable that the gun prohibition lobby wasted no time at all in its attempt to exploit this hideous attack in an effort to further its political agenda. When will these people stop dancing in the blood of crime victims in an attempt to resuscitate their relevance?”Gottlieb was especially critical of attempts by at least two different organizations to link an out-of-context remark made in 2009 by the National Rifle Association’s Wayne LaPierre to this crime. He called it a “shameless demonstration of the depths to which the anti-gun-rights lobby will stoop in an attempt to discredit gun rights organizations. “We notice,” he said, “that little has been said about the courageous armed citizen, Joe Zamudio, who helped physically subdue the gunman. Despite Mr. Zamudio’s disclosure during interviews with CNN and Fox News that he was armed, the press appears to be largely ignoring this detail. “The gun apparently used by the suspect, Jared Loughner, was quickly traced to a legal sale at a Tucson-area sporting goods store in November,” he added. “The speed by which that firearm was traced belies claims that police agencies are hindered by current statute that prohibits political exploitation of firearm trace data. “A horrible crime has been committed, and our nation is stunned,” Gottlieb concluded. “But until this investigation is completed, it is disgusting that gun prohibitionists would rush to the nearest microphone, demanding that we need more laws, while trying to link firearms rights advocates to this tragedy.”
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Coalition to Stop Gun Violence: “Those of us at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence are deeply dismayed at the horrific shooting rampage that occurred in Tucson this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers—and the thoughts and prayers of all our member organizations—are with the victims and survivors of this terrible tragedy. We hope for a full recovery for all of those who lie wounded today. Sadly, Saturday’s tragedy was both predictable and inevitable. Insurrectionist rhetoric—which posits that the Second Amendment gives individuals the right to take violent action when they believe that our government has become “tyrannical”—was once confined to the dark corners of gun shows and the Internet. In today’s America, however, it has become a “mainstream” idea that is widely promoted by movement conservatives, high-profile media figures, and even elected officials and candidates. Tucson was not unique—since the conservative wing of the Supreme Court embraced the insurrectionist idea in the D.C. v. Heller decision in 2008, there have been numerous threats and acts of violence against government officials. Additionally, America’s weak gun laws continue to allow individuals who are obviously deranged to legally purchase semiautomatic firearms with high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Jared Lee Loughner’s history of mental illness, substance abuse and violent threats was well-known to law enforcement, the U.S. Army and his educators at Pima Community College. None of this, however, was detected by an instant, computerized background check that takes just a few minutes and involves no actual investigation of the gun purchasers. If we are to avoid future massacres, our elected officials must institute policies that prioritize public safety and human life over gun industry profits. And they must speak out in no uncertain terms against poisonous insurrectionist ideology that threatens the integrity of our democracy itself.”
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Common Cause: “Whatever we ultimately learn about the motives of Jared Loughner, the shooter behind Saturday’s tragedy in Tucson, his twisted acts should trigger reflection by every American on the sorry and potentially dangerous state of our public discourse. “We believe, absolutely and unequivocally, in free speech,” said Bob Edgar, Common Cause’s president and CEO. “But everyone must understand that words have consequences. Our political dialog is now sated with violent imagery. We’ve grown accustomed to phrases like ‘second amendment solutions’ and ‘don’t retreat, reload,’ that to twisted minds may incite violent acts.
“No one questions the power of well-chosen words and images to sell automobiles or beer or pharmaceuticals,” Edgar added. “Surely we should acknowledge that when poorly chosen they can provoke despicable acts like those we’ve now witnessed in Tucson.”
As people of good will continue to pray for the recovery of Congresswoman Giffords and offer solace to other survivors and victims and their families, Common Cause calls on all who enter the public square — in print, on the air or online — to weigh their words, to speak vigorously but respectfully to and about one another. Simple decency demands no less.”
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Defenders of Wildlife: “The following is a statement from Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife, regarding the shootings in Tucson, Ariz. last Saturday.“We’re shocked and saddened by this depraved attack on U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, her staff, an innocent child, a respected federal judge and others who were harmed or killed in last Saturday’s senseless shootings. And we extend our deepest condolences to all of the victims’ families and friends. Those of us who’ve had the honor to work with Congresswoman Giffords over the years regard her as a champion for the environment and as a tireless public servant. And we wish Rep. Giffords a speedy recovery. In Congress, Rep. Giffords has always displayed courage and stood by her beliefs, particularly when she voted in support of legislation to address climate change. Gabby, as we’ve come to know her, has a fighter’s spirit. And although her bravery must now be facing its greatest test, we’re all hopeful that she’ll return to the work she loves.”
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Media Matters for America: “Today, in response to the tragic shooting in Arizona and the increasing focus on the tone of political discourse, Media Matters for America founder and CEO David Brock issued an open letter to News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch asking him to rein in Fox News personalities Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, both of whom frequently use violent and revolutionary rhetoric. The letter reads: Dear Mr. Murdoch, Since the early days of 2009, I have warned your network and others in the media about the very real dangers of extreme anti-government rhetoric and the stoking of fear. I cautioned against Glenn Beck’s proclamation that he was a “progressive hunter” and his statement that the government was full of vampires before he instructed his viewers to “drive a stake through the heart of the bloodsuckers.” And against Palin revealing her 2010 “targets” with a map showing gun sights over 20 congressional districts, including that of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, urging followers to not “Retreat, Instead — RELOAD.” I said on national television that inducing fear, anger, and the use of violent imagery creates a climate of fear, suspicion, and paranoia that could lead to another Oklahoma City. I hoped my warnings would be heeded. Instead, they were cast aside. Even after evidence emerged in October that California gunman Byron Williams was inspired by Beck to attempt to assassinate progressive leaders and I pleaded for Palin to set an example by condemning her Fox colleague’s violent and revolutionary rhetoric, Fox did nothing to address the situation. On Beck’s radio show, he and Palin jovially mocked my concern. For seven minutes on air, the pair joked about my plea to tone down the rhetoric. Beck said it was “laughable,” “sad,” and compared me to the “smelly kid in third grade.” Palin giggled and said I was “silly” and that my argument was “pathetic” and “desperate” before ultimately concluding, “I stand with you, Glenn.” Beck and Palin are two of Fox’s most recognizable figures. Before this heartbreaking tragedy in Arizona, you were either unwilling or unable to rein in their violent rhetoric. But now, in the wake of the killings, your network must take a stand. You have the power to order them to stop using violent rhetoric, on and off of Fox’s air. If they fail to do so, it is incumbent upon you to fire them or be responsible for the climate they create and any consequences thereof. My previous warnings were laughed off and ignored. For the country’s sake, I hope you take them more seriously now. Sincerely, David Brock, Founder and CEO, Media Matters for America”
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National Alliance on Mental Illness: ” Statement by Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is an organization of individuals and families whose lives have been deeply affected by mental illness. We share the sadness of other Americans over the Tucson, Arizona tragedy and extend our sympathy to the families of the six individuals who died. We pray for the recovery of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the 13 other persons who were wounded. Representative Giffords is a NAMI friend who has served as co-chair of the NAMIWalk in Southeast Arizona and has supported our missions of education, support and advocacy. When tragedies involving mental illness occur, it is essential to understand the nature of mental illness—and to find out what went wrong. The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that the likelihood of violence from people with mental illness is low. In fact, “the overall contribution of mental disorders to the total level of violence in society is exceptionally small.” Acts of violence are exceptional. They are a sign that something has gone terribly wrong, usually in the mental healthcare system. Nationwide, the mental health care system is broken. Arizona, like other states, has deeply cut mental health services. Arizona has a broad civil commitment law to require treatment if it is needed; however, the law cannot work if an evaluation is never conducted or mental health services are not available. In specific cases such as this, authorities and the news media should seek to objectively determine every factor that may have contributed to the tragedy—so that we can act on lessons learned. Was there a diagnosis? What is the full medical history? When were symptoms first noticed? Did family members receive education about mental illness and support? Did the person or family ever seek treatment—only to have it delayed or denied? Was the person seen by mental health professionals? By whom? How often? Was treatment coordinated among different professionals? Was the person prescribed medication? Was it being taken? If not, why not? Was substance abuse involved? What may have triggered the psychiatric crisis? ”
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Southern Poverty Law Center: “By Richard Cohen, President. A year ago, we introduced a new school curriculum, Civil Discourse in the Classroom and Beyond, with this urgent call: “There is a pressing need to change the tenor of public debate from shouts and slurs to something more reasoned.” The tragedy in Tucson this weekend reminds us that it’s a call that politicians and pundits would do well to heed. We may never get a clear picture of what was going through the confused mind of the Tucson gunman. But as my colleague Mark Potok explained on NPR this morning, with all the vitriol on the airwaves, it’s not surprising that someone has taken deadly aim at an elected official. Tea Party darlings like Sharron Angle talk about using “second amendment remedies” to change the course of the country. The shameless Glenn Beck feeds the lunatic fringe with talk of the government herding Americans into FEMA concentration camps and of imminent violence from mysterious forces “from the left.” Sarah Palin uses phrases like “don’t retreat, reload” and shows the districts of various Democrats in Congress, including that of Tucson’s Gabrielle Giffords, in the crosshairs. The problem isn’t so much a lack of politeness. We should expect sharp elbows and a healthy degree of ridicule to be thrown around by those in the political arena. The problem is the incendiary rhetoric, with its violence-laced metaphors, and the spinning of paranoid fantasies. The problem is the non-stop demonization one hears from political opportunists trolling for votes and their media allies trolling for ratings. The sheriff in Tucson put it this way: “When you look at unbalanced people — how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain people’s mouths about tearing down the government — the anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous.” With six dead and 14 wounded, the sheriff would have been justified in using much stronger terms. Politicians of both parties have condemned the attack and begun to ask themselves questions about the overheated rhetoric that may have contributed to it. Speaker Boehner has postponed the normal business of the House for the week so that he and his colleagues can reflect on what should be done. Let us all hope that the week of reflection is more than a brief interlude in what has become a vicious political season.”
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Violence Policy Center: The same model handgun used in the shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and 19 others on Saturday was also used in the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, the Violence Policy Center (VPC) pointed out today in a backgrounder released on the Glock 19 pistol and ammunition magazine used in the Arizona attack (see http://www.vpc.org/fact_sht/AZbackgrounder.pdf for backgrounder). Similar semiautomatic firearms with high-capacity magazines have been used in most major mass shootings in the United States in the past 30 years. The VPC is calling on Congress to pass a new law banning the manufacture and sale of high-capacity magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. A similar ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines was in place for 10 years as part of the now-expired federal assault weapons ban. “Simply put, high-capacity ammunition magazines make mass shootings possible by allowing shooters to fire multiple rounds very quickly without reloading. An effective ban on high-capacity magazines will help prevent tragedies like the one that claimed six lives and wounded numerous others last Saturday,” said Kristen Rand, VPC legislative director. “We can save lives in the future with this simple, effective proposal.”
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Preceding collated with the help of Public Policy Matters