Ron Barber Takes Oath, Closes Chapter in Giffords Tragedy
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Jonathan Gibby/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Ron Barber, the former congressional staffer to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who was also wounded during the Arizona shooting on January 8, 2011, took the oath of office today and his place in the House of Representatives, closing another chapter in the tragedy in Tucson.
“Congratulations. You are now a member of the 112th Congress,” House Speaker John Boehner said after administering the oath of office on the House floor Tuesday afternoon.
A short time later, Barber, who defeated Republican candidate Jesse Kelly in a special election last Tuesday, stood in the well of the House chamber, thanking his family as he delivered his first remarks as a member of Congress.
“Thank you, all of you, my family, for your support and love, without which I would not be here today,” Barber, D-Ariz., said. “I have the most amazing family, I think everyone would say that, but I am very blessed to have them in my life, especially over the past year and a half. And to my high school sweet heart and wife Nancy, I love you dearly and look forward to celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary tomorrow.”
Barber then acknowledged his predecessor, who resigned from office January 25, a little more than a year after the shooting. The newly minted congressman was shot in the cheek and leg during the rampage at a constituent event he staffed with Giffords.
“Mr. Speaker, I stand here on the floor of the House in the very spot where five months ago my friend and my predecessor Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords bravely delivered her resignation from Congress. I want to thank the congresswoman for her vision and leadership and the inspiration she continues to give to our country,” he said before directing his comments directly to Giffords. “Gabby, Southern Arizona misses you dearly and we cannot wait to have you home.”
Six people were killed in the shooting, including federal judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl named Christine Taylor Green. Thirteen others were wounded. Suspect Jared Lee Loughner remains jailed in federal prison hospital in Missouri until a hearing June 25 to determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial.
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