Natalie Gonnella
Speaking during today's House session held in tribute to the victims of the tragic events in Arizona, Representative Mike Pence offered a universal reminder on the importance and necessity of "free and open debate" in the political arena:
I understand the pain that Saturday last has caused for so many in this body and around the country but we cannot fear free and open debate. Democracy depends on heavy doses of civility and as my colleagues know I have always sought to model that here on the floor and elsewhere.
We should always refrain from engaging in personal verbal attacks against those with whom we differ on important questions of the day.
But let me say, we must also resist in these moments of heartache, the temptation to assign blame to those with whom we differ for the acts of other
No expressed opinion on the left or the right was to blame for Saturdays attack and we must resist efforts to suggest otherwise because do to so has the potential to inhibit and erode our freedom.
Although a general message to all members of Congress, Representative Pence's remarks come as another voice of reason in reply to the tenuous partisan blame being advocated by some in response to Saturday's attack.
Honoring the victims of the tragedy throughout his extended remarks, Congressman Pence paid tribute to the dedicated work of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, while also offering words of support and condolence to all who are grieving over this "unspeakable act of violence."
Congressman Pence's full comments can be viewed here (beginning at 02:15:05).
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