Gabby Giffords Honors Victims, Survivors of Uvalde Shooting Two Years Later
Washington DC — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of national gun violence prevention group GIFFORDS, released the following statement honoring the victims and survivors of the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. Two years ago, 19 children and two teachers were killed in their classrooms and 18 more were injured. Last fall, Congresswoman Giffords visited Uvalde and met with families and survivors.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
“Two years ago, so much was lost. Twenty-one families will never be whole again, children were forever traumatized in their classrooms, and a community’s grief swept through the country. I will never forget the lives stolen or the outpour of rage and pain.
“Family members and survivors in Uvalde courageously shared what happened on the darkest day of their lives to honor their loved ones with action on gun safety. President Joe Biden and Congress listened to them and in the wake of the Uvalde shooting, passed the first federal gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. We know more must still be done. My heart is with the survivors today, and I will always stand by them to fight for the safe future they and their families deserve.”
Roger Garza, GIFFORDS Texas State Director
“Today, I’m thinking of the lives that were forever changed—the families who lost kids and beloved teachers, those who were shot and face lifelong healing journeys, and the children who witnessed a horrific act of violence. Our country’s weak gun laws failed Texas that day, and legislators failed our state again when they refused to honor the lives lost with action and pass gun safety laws. GIFFORDS Texas is working tirelessly toward a future where students and teachers are safe, and children live to achieve their hopes and dreams.”
In the years since the shooting at Robb Elementary School, GIFFORDS met with survivors and community leaders in Uvalde to learn more about the road ahead for the Uvalde community. In 2023 GIFFORDS authored a report highlighting the challenges the community has faced in the year following the shooting. The report offers six recommendations for local, state, and national leaders, including taking action on gun safety, reforming victim compensation services, and funding community programs for at-risk youth and young adults.
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