U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) is attending the commissioning of the USS Gabrielle Giffords, scheduled in Galveston, Texas.  View photos from last night's ceremony.

U.S. Rep. Castor made the following statement commemorating this great honor:

"Gabby's journey is an inspiration," said U.S. Rep. Castor.  "Facing adversity many of us will never completely understand, she has fought both in Congress and outside of it to make our country a safer place for our families and children.  Being the first living woman since Martha Washington to have a Naval warship named after them is a well-deserved honor.  I know her namesake will be a symbol of peace and understanding, just like Gabby."

U.S. Reps. Castor and Giffords were both elected in 2006 and formed an instant friendship in Congress, serving together on the Armed Services committee.  U.S. Rep. Castor expressed her sorrow when her colleague and friend was shot in 2011, and prayed for her recovery.  Giffords remained defiant and in 2013, she and her husband, Mark Kelly, launched Americans for Responsible Solutions to encourage safer communities by preventing gun violence.

In the wake of the Pulse massacre in Orlando, the tragedies in San Bernardino, Colorado Springs, Charleston, Newtown, and others, U.S. Rep. Castor has joined Civil Rights icon, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Democratic lawmakers and Americans everywhere to call for common sense gun control.  Last summer, she and Democratic House members held a sit-in protest on the floor of the House of Representatives to demand a vote on keeping weapons away from terrorists and others with violent pasts.  Republicans have refused to budge and take common sense steps to prevent these tragic events.

"These scars run too deep for inaction.  When Gabby was shot in 2011, the world watched in horror.  It was not the first time we experienced a mass shooting and it was not the last.  We need to take common sense action now to ensure more friends, families and loved ones do not have to experience the pain we felt after Tucson.“

In the past 72 hours, there have been 23 deaths or injuries due to gun violence in America, including two in Florida.  Since the beginning of 2017, America has experienced at least 19,806 deaths or injuries due to gun violence.

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