Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. Kathy Hochul

Mr. Speaker, exactly 12 hours ago, those of us who sat in this Chamber watched raw courage walk through that door when our colleague, Gabby Giffords, came in here of her own accord. She overcame obstacles both physical and emotional that few of us can ever imagine. In this room, we often find similar challenges. I call on this body in the spirit of Gabby Giffords to put aside our differences and work together and institute the parts of the President's plan we heard last night that we all agree on.

I sat over here on the so-called Republican side of the aisle, and I know there were times when my colleagues, all of them, got up and applauded and supported the President and issues, whether it was to bring back jobs from overseas, whether it was fairness in our Tax Code, or infrastructure for our roads and bridges that are crumbling, at least in my district.

We have much before us, just as our friend Gabby did. We can overcome it. She did it. We must. The American people are counting on us.