Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) said she and other colleagues will make sure the issues important to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) are represented in Washington. Giffords was shot in the head during Saturday's mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz. which left six people dead.
Giffords has served on three committees since being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006: Science and Technology, Foreign Affairs and the powerful Armed Services committee.
All deal with issues crucial to southern Arizona, including immigration reform, solar energy and the needs of military families and veterans.
Rep. Susan Davis served with Giffords on the Armed Services Committee, which has about 60 members. The other two committees have about 40 members each.
Although assignments for the new Congress are still being determined, Davis expected Giffords to rejoin her on this key committee.
Davis said she and other members of Congress will make sure the issues important to Giffords are not forgotten. “I think that we will certainly pick up the work," Davis said. "She’s going to have her staff members who will continue to work with the committee and on the issues that she cares about.”
Davis said they grew close during the past year as the fellow Democrat from Tucson won a hotly contested race for reelection. She said the angry rhetoric from the campaign was a stark contrast to Giffords’ kind personality, caring nature and passion for public service.
“She also was a very strong advocate for her district," Davis said. "She knew the issues of serving a border community. That was very important to her. And she is still going to be doing that.”
