Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), joined with the union’s Arizona district leader in speaking on behalf of the mortified reaction by many local union members on today’s reports of the shooting in a Tucson shopping center of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a federal judge and 16 others during a public event.

Gerard said, “We are deeply saddened and also contemptuous of today’s violent event in Tucson. We all need to offer our private prayers for Rep. Giffords’ recovery to her family, constituents and our nation. The medical team in Tucson needs our heartfelt support for the others gravely wounded, and our collective sympathy goes to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.”

Distressed by the incident and trying to help others consider how to cope with the feelings and anger of the tragedy for the families, the state and nation -- Gerard urged, “We need to be a nation that comes together and rises to our best values ... more