Congresswoman will return to her hometown of Tucson to observe anniversary of shooting in which six people died

TUCSON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will attend a vigil at the University of Arizona Sunday evening to commemorate the anniversary of the Jan. 8, 2011 shooting in which six people were killed and the congresswoman was critically wounded.

The vigil on the UA Mall is one of dozens of events that will be held in Tucson and the surrounding area this weekend to observe the tragedy in which 19 people were shot last year at Giffords’ Congress On Your Corner at a shopping center in Northwest Tucson.

Giffords and her husband, retired Navy captain Mark Kelly, both will participate in the event.

Others participating include Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Rabbi Stephanie Aaron and Dr. Peter Rhee, chief of the division of trauma, critical care and emergency surgery at the University of Arizona Medical Center. Rhee was among the doctors who treated Giffords and others who were wounded last year.

Ron Barber, Giffords’ district director, will be the emcee for the event. Barber was shot twice and seriously wounded last year. Barber and his family established the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, which will host “Reflections: Honoring the Lives of the January 8 Shooting Victims” at 3 p.m. Sunday in Centennial Hall on the UA campus.

“Congresswoman Giffords wanted to be back in Tucson for this very emotional weekend,” said Pia Carusone, Giffords’ chief of staff. “She felt it was important to be in her hometown with her family, staff members and a few close friends.”

While in Tucson, Giffords will not give interviews.

The vigil at the UA Mall will be hosted by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and the University of Arizona Medical Center. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra will perform as will Calexico, one of the congresswoman’s favorite local bands.

Community members are encouraged to attend and show their support for the families of victims and the survivors. Those attending are asked not to bring candles. Glow sticks will be provided to all those in attendance.  

Giffords, a third-generation Tucsonan, has been undergoing intensive therapy in Houston after she was shot in the head last year. This weekend’s trip to Tucson will be the fourth time the congresswoman has returned to Tucson since the shooting. She previously flew back for Father’s Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

Media wishing to cover the Sunday vigil at the University of Arizona should contact Johnny Cruz, UA’s assistant vice president for communications at cruzj@email.arizona.edu. 

WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords attends vigil commemorating the Jan. 8, 2011 shooting
WHEN: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan, 8, 2012
WHERE: University of Arizona Mall

Additional information for media:

Credentials

Media who plan to cover the Jan. 8 events on the UA campus should RSVP for credentials by providing the following information to wakefiel@email.arizona.edu: 

Name
News Organization
Phone Number
Email address
Role (reporter or photographer)

Credentials can be picked up at: 

UA Office of University Communications 
University Services Building
888 N. Euclid Ave., Suite 413
Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

or 
 
UA Student Union Memorial Center
Gallagher Theater
1303 E. University Blvd.
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2 – 6 p.m.  

Designated Media Area

A press riser will be available for photographers and videographers covering the event. Space is limited. Due to the number of media likely in attendance, the riser only will be accessible to photographers and videographers. There are no reserved seats for reporters. 

Press and Satellite Truck Parking

All media and satellite trucks may set up on the east end of the University of Arizona Mall, located on the grassy area on University Boulevard, just east of Cherry Avenue. From that location, a shot of the event on the UA Mall is available.

Satellite Feed

It will not be possible to run cable to the press riser to broadcast the event live. A satellite feed will be provided by Arizona Public Media. 

Satellite/Transponder: GALAXY 3C 20K, 95 degrees West

Modulation DVBS QPSK 

Standard Def 4X3 (720X480i) aspect ratio 4:2:0 color space

Transponder Bandwidth 18Mhz

Data Rate 16.404 Mbit/s

Symbol Rate 11.867 MSym/sec

FEC 3/4

PMT Pid 0258

PCR Pid 0512

Video Pid 0512

Audio1 Pid 4112

Audio 2 Pid 4128

For technical questions, please contact Denny Warters at 520-820-0687 or dwarters@email.arizona.edu.

Filing Center

The Gallagher Theater – located on the second floor of the UA Student Union Memorial Center – has been reserved as a filing center for media who need to file stories or photos. Wireless access will be available. 

Interview Room

Media who wish to conduct interviews indoors may do so at the USS Arizona Lounge – located on the second floor of the UA Student Union Memorial Center.

Media Access

Access to the press riser will be available beginning at 5 p.m.

Article source: http://giffords.house.gov/2012/01/us-rep-gabrielle-giffords-will-attend-sunday-event-at-university-of-arizona.shtml