DeGette Statement On The One-Year Anniversary Of The Aurora Theater Shooting
"It has now been a year since our Colorado community was shaken by an inexplicable and horrific act of violence that left 12 innocent men, women and children dead, and 70 injured…
"365 days where the families, friends and loved ones of those lost have been robbed of their laughter, their triumphs, their struggles, and the million little things that made those 12 people unique.
"I know I join with all my colleagues in the delegation in saying, on behalf of the citizens of Colorado, we continue to express our deepest thanks for the outpouring of support our community has received from across the nation, since the horrible events at that Aurora theater.
"All of us in the Denver-area still remember where we were when we heard the news, and the immediate fearful and heartbreaking connections we made.
"Who did we know in the theater? Whose child or wife or husband or brother is not coming home because of the senseless acts of one disturbed and heavily armed young man?
"My 18 year old daughter had a friend in the theater just next door; and a friend of our family lost her nephew in the tragedy.
Three of the deceased gunned down – including little six-year-old Veronica Moser – lived in my district and were part of the community I have the privilege of representing.
"Today we remember the victims of the Aurora theater massacre – the lives they would have and could have led, had they not been gunned down while innocently watching a movie on a Thursday night.
"We pay tribute to their lives and remind their families and loved ones that they are still in our hearts, our thoughts and prayers; and they will not be forgotten.
"But we also owe it to them to stand up and make sure they did not die in vain.
"Since I've been in Congress, we've had over 25 moments of silence on the Floor of the House for victims of gun violence. Let me say that again – over 25 moments of silence.
"Including one on July 24, 2012 for the Aurora victims, and of course, the moment last December for all the little children killed in Newtown.
"Surely we can come together in the name of the victims of Aurora; and Newtown; and Columbine; and Virginia Tech; and Fort Hood… and all the others… and say once and for all, enough is enough."
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