Thursday, April 24, 2014

Giffords: "When I think about what I want the rest of my life to be, I think about Judge Roll"

Posted By on Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:30 AM

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will honor the late Judge John M. Roll at a ceremony in Yuma today naming the new Federal Courthouse after her friend.

A snippet from yesterday's editorial Arizona Republic by Giffords on Roll, Jan. 8 and why it's important to honor her friend:

After attending Mass on the morning of Jan. 8, 2011, Judge Roll stopped by my constituent gathering at the Tucson Safeway. I've been told he wanted to catch up on our work, to say hello.

I don't remember much of that day. But in an instant he, who had for decades been both a dutiful and exceptional agent of justice for so many Americans, took a bullet that might have killed one other.

When I think about what I want the rest of my life to be, I think about Judge Roll. A man of family, faith and foundational love for our country, he spent his life in the service of others. And then he died as a hero.

Today, his name goes on the new Federal Courthouse in Yuma. It's a fitting honor for a man of such high achievement and sacrifice. I hope the courthouse can also be a beacon for all those who seek to dedicate themselves to service and justice, and a reminder of how we all should live.


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