Moment Of Silence
January 10, 2011 by USA Post
Moment Of Silence, (AP) – A somber Barack Obama led a minute of silence Monday for a nation stunned by an assassination attempt against a member of Congress in Arizona, which left her seriously injured several others injured and six dead.
In a frosty morning in Washington, the president and first lady Michelle Obama has left the White House the sound of a bell at 11 pm EST. Wearing coats, they stood side by side on the south lawn, each with his hands clasped, head bowed and eyes closed.
After a minute of silence, they walked inside, the President’s hand on the back of the first lady.
The time was also marked on the Capitol steps the United States and around the nation to the direction of the President, who called for the country to come together in prayer or reflection for the dead and those fighting for recover. In total, 19 people were killed in the shooting in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has been shot at close range in the head, and she remains in intensive care. Among the six killed were Chief Justice of Arizona government, a 9-year-old girl, interested in government, and an aide Giffords.
More than 300 staff White House, senior advisers to members of kitchen staff and maintenance crews, joined the Obama family on the South Lawn. To Pennsylvania Avenue, hundreds of staff members of Congress gathered on the Capitol steps is to observe the minute’s silence.
Congress was not in session Monday and most of the participants were employees of congressional offices and others who work in the Capitol.
Prosecutors have accused 22-year-old Jared Loughner one count of attempted murder of a congressman, two counts of killing a federal employee and two counts of attempting to kill an employee the federal government. More charges are expected.
Speaker of the House John Boehner told members in a conference call Sunday to “pull together as an institution.”
“What is important is that we are together in this dark moment as one body,” he said. “We need to rally around our colleague wounded, the families of missing persons and the 8th district of Arizona. And, frankly, we need to rally around each other. ”
Giffords, a Democrat, represents the 8th District of Arizona.
Business of the House this week, including a controversial vote scheduled for Wednesday to repeal new legislation Obama Health Care, was postponed to focus on all necessary actions following the shooting. Connecticut Rep. John Larson, who heads the House Democratic Caucus, said lawmakers continue to have open sessions with voters, although they are likely to take more precautions.
Giffords brother-brother orbit, astronaut Scott Kelly, asked for a moment of silence on board the International Space Station and all flight control centers around the world.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
_________________________________________
Please feel free to send if you have any questions regarding this post , you can contact on
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are that of the authors and not necessarily that of U.S.S.POST.
Comments