Arizona

Pressuring China, Pressuring Ourselves

The big story this week revolves around Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to Washington and meetings with President Obama. The bulk of their conversation has been pre-packaged with less-than-savory global issues that are set to heat up already tense relations. But energy has found its way between the two world leaders as grounds for compromise.

I am close to the tragedy in Tucson in several ways. I organized events with Congresswoman Giffords and her staff several times before her election, and lobbied her office for 1Sky last year. Also, my church is a few minutes away from Jared Loughner's home and the shooting site.

Saturday's attack on Tucson, Arizona Rep. Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords (D-AZ) has Capitol Hill on edge. Republican House leadership plans to delay consideration of the hyper-partisan health care repeal bill, and will instead pay tribute to Giffords by dismissing Congress for the week. Discussions of gun control and violent political messages are expected to ensue in the coming week.

Like all of you, I was shocked and angered by what happened this weekend in Arizona. The attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), along with the senseless shooting of 19 other victims -- including the murder a federal judge, a congressional aide, a nine-year-old-girl and three other Arizonians -- is a tragedy that cuts deeply on many levels. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this tragedy and their families.