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WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will be sworn in for her second term representing Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.
The ceremonial oath-taking is scheduled to take place at 12:30 p.m., Arizona time, and will be attended by Giffords’ parents and Navy astronaut husband.
With the swearing in, she becomes a member of the 111th Congress, one of 95 women serving — 78 in the House of Representatives and 17 in the Senate.
She is no longer burdened with the title of being a freshman representative, since her November election in which she defeated Arizona Republican Senate President Tim Bee.
 U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords |
In 2006, she defeated Republican Randy Graf, returning the district seat to Democratic hands. Before that it was held for more than two decades by Republican Jim Kolbe, who opted to retire instead of running for another term.
Giffords said there were a number of accomplishments during the 110th Congress, which was seated in January 2007. Included were:
• Updating the Montgomery GI Bill to provide a four-year scholarship for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Ensuring the single largest increase in funding to the Veterans Administration.
• Improving mental health care treatment for military members as part of the Wounded Warrior Act and directing the Secretary of Defense to establish a military mental health initiative.
• Increasing incentives for military members to improve cross-cultural competency and language proficiency through the National Security Culture and Language Training Act as part of the nation’s fight against terrorism.
• Extending the Solar Investment Tax Credit for eight years which with the Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act which: strengthen the solar industry in the United States, especially in Arizona.
• Ensuring $410 million in funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for the apprehension and detention of illegal immigrants.
• Authorizing $33.6 billion for science, technology, engineering and math education programs.
• Increasing the minimum wage for millions of Americans to $6.55 an hour.
• Passing the Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act which provides $15 billion in loans and grants to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed homes.
Although she has never served in the military, Giffords’ district includes two major active duty installations, the Army’s Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista and the Air Force’s Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson.
The number of members of Congress who served in the military has decreased from the 110th Congress.
The 111th has 121 members who are former service members — 96 in the House and 25 in the Senate — five less than the 110th and much fewer than the 398 congressional members who served in the 91st Congress that sat from 1969 to 1971.
Like the United States population, members of Congress are members of many faiths.
Giffords is Jewish. The majority of the congressional members consider themselves Protestants coming from different affiliations. Roman Catholics account for the largest religious affiliation.
Others are Greek Orthodox, Christian Scientists, Quakers, Mormons, as well as two Buddhists and two Muslims.
When it comes to ethnic backgrounds, 41 are African Americans, all in the House; 31 who claim backgrounds as Hispanic, 28 in the House and three in the Senate; 11 Asian Pacific Americans, with nine in the House and two in the Senate; and, one American Indian serving in the House.
Giffords, has moved to a new office, vacating the office once held by Texan Democrat Lyndon Baines Johnson, who became president of the United States.
She moved out of the Cannon House Office Building to the Longworth House Office Building into an suite once occupied by Massachusetts Democrat John W. McCormack, who went on to become the Speaker of the House from 1963 to 1971.
There are a number of issues that have to be addressed as the nation faces national and international issues.
“I am dedicated to tackling these serious issues in a bipartisan and pragmatic manner,” Giffords said.
And, when it comes to addressing the issue, she said it will also include working with the district’s voters “to solve the challenges facing Arizona and our nation through common sense solutions.”
Open house today in Sierra Vista
Today at 10 a.m. Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ Sierra Vista office at 77 Calle Portal will have an open house for the public. Giffords’ can be reached at one of three offices, one in Washington, D.C., and two in Arizona. They are:
• 1729 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone (202) 225-2542 or Fax at (202) 225-0378.
• 11661 N. Swan, Suite 112, Tucson, AZ 85712. Phone (520) 881-3588 or Fax at (520) 322-9490.
• 77 Calle Portal, Suit B-160, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635. Phone 459-3115 or Fax at 459-5419.
Herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com. Statistical information for this information was provided by the Congressional Research Service.
Susan wrote on Jan 6, 2009 11:20 AM: