Gabby Giffords gave testimony today on the issue of Gun Safety …
She testified in front of her former colleagues on the Hill. People she spent time with darn near each and every day. And so far there response has been a collective shrug of the shoulders.
Because, frankly, I believe too many believe that Gabby Giffords is collateral damage. She is just one of the price that we pay for “the right to bear arms.”
When Neil Heslin, father of Jesse Lewis who was killed at Sandy Hook, asked someone to defend the need for someone to own an assault rifle a couple of spectators shouted out in defense of the 2nd Amendment. Here is Mr. Heslin’s testimoney in full.
Again, it is clear to me that to those who shouted out that Neil’s son is collateral damage. A six year old in school who was shot dead is the price we pay for the right to arm ourselves with military weapons.
I’m angry. I’m angry that today I read that Sen. Leahy hasn’t given full-throated support to the assault weapons ban. My Senator Leahy who ought not take re-election for granted. And I told him so today.
I’m angry that nothing seems to make sense. That the 2nd Amendment seems to be the be-all, end-all part of the Constitution. People who care so much about the unborn don’t give a crap about the living.
These children were living, loving, beautiful children who will never grow up to be whatever they wanted to be:
Charlotte Bacon, 6
Charlotte wanted to be a veterinarian since age 2. Charlotte was described by her parents – Joel and JoAnn Bacon – as “an extraordinarily gifted 6-year-old who filled her family each day with joy and love.” She wore a new pink dress and boots to school on the last day of her life.
Daniel Barden, 7
Daniel’s family said he loved riding waves at the beach, playing drums in a band with his brother, James, and sister, Natalie, playing Foosball, and making s’mores around a campfire with his cousins at his grandfather’s house in the upstate New York town of Smallwood.
Noah Pozner, 6
Noah loved animals and Mario Bros. video games, and called his twin sister, Arielle, his best friend. He also loved tacos, and said he someday wanted to be the manager of a taco factory. Having turned 6 less than a month ago, Noah was the youngest victim.
Jack Pinto, 6Jack was an avid wrestler, and many of his friends showed up to his funeral wearing sports jerseys. Red white and blue medals were placed around their necks. Jack dreamed of becoming a professional football player and idolized Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz. In fact, he was buried wearing his Victor Cruz jersey. After learning he was Jack’s favorite player, Cruz wrote “R.I.P. Jack Pinto,” on his shoes and gloves for the game against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Jesse Lewis, 6
Jesse Lewis, who was described by a family friend as “full of life” had hot chocolate with his favorite breakfast sandwich – sausage, egg and che
Grace McDonnell, 7
Dylan Hockley
Jessica Rekos, 6
Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
Madeleine Hsu
Olivia Engel, 6
James Mattioli, 6
Chase Kowalski, 7
Catherine Hubbard, 6
Josephine Gay, 7
Emilie Parker, 6
Caroline Previdi, 6
Avielle Richman, 6
Benjamin Wheeler, 6
Allison Wyatt, 6
Vicki Soto, 27
Vicki Soto, 27 (Credit: Facebook)Vicki Soto, 27 (Credit: Facebook)
While her family said Vicki would never want to be famous, the Sandy Hook Elementary School first grade teacher will forever be hailed a hero for giving her own life to shield her young students from the gunfire. Her favorite color was green, and her brother fondly remembered annual trips to pick out the family’s Christmas tree, with Vicki leading the way.
Read more about Vicki Soto here.
Visit her Facebook memorial page here.
Mary Sherlach, 56
Mary Sherlach, 56 (credit: Facebook)Mary Sherlach, 56 (credit: Facebook)
When the shots rang out, Mary Sherlach threw herself into the danger. Janet Robinson, the superintendent of Newtown Public Schools, said Sherlach and the school’s principal ran toward the shooter. They lost their own lives, rushing toward him. Sherlach’s son-in-law, Eric Schwartz, told the South Jersey Times that Sherlach rooted on the Miami Dolphins, enjoyed visiting the Finger Lakes, relished helping children overcome their problems.
Read more about Mary Sherlach here.
Visit her Facebook memorial page here.
Dawn Hochsprung
Principal Dawn Hochsprung, 47 (credit: Facebook)Principal Dawn Hochsprung, 47 (credit: Facebook)
Dawn Hochsprung’s pride in Sandy Hook Elementary was clear. She regularly tweeted photos from her time as principal there, giving indelible glimpses of life at a place now known for tragedy. Just this week, it was an image of fourth-graders rehearsing for their winter concert; days before that, the tiny hands of kindergartners exchanging play money at their makeshift grocery store.
Read more about Dawn Hochsprung here.
Visit her Facebook memorial page here.
Rachel D’avino, 29
Rachel DavinoRachel Davino, 29 (Credit: Facebook)
D’Avino was a behavioral therapist who had only recently started working at the school, according to Lissa Lovetere Stone, a friend. The 29-year-old was due to be engaged on Christmas Eve. Her boyfriend asked permission from her family the week before the shooting.
Read more about Rachel here.
Visit her Facebook memorial page here.
Lauren Rousseau, 30
Lauren Rousseau, 30 (credit: Facebook)Lauren Rousseau, 30 (credit: Facebook)
Lauren Rousseau had spent years working as a substitute teacher and doing other jobs. So she was thrilled when she finally realized her goal this fall to become a full-time teacher at Sandy Hook. She had planned to see “The Hobbit” with her boyfriend Friday and had baked cupcakes for a party they were to attend afterward. She was born in Danbury, and attended Danbury High, college at the University of Connecticut and graduate school at the University of Bridgeport.
Anne Marie Murphy, 52Authorities told the parents of 52-year-old special education teacher, Anne Marie Murphy, that their daughter died a hero, reportedly helping to shield some of her students from the rain of bullets. “You don’t expect your daughter to be murdered,” her father said. “It happens on TV. It happens elsewhere.”