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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 615 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 615

   Designating the Democratic Cloakroom in the Hall of the House of 
  Representatives as the ``Gabrielle Giffords-Leo J. Ryan Cloakroom''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 13, 2017

   Ms. Speier (for herself and Ms. Wilson of Florida) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on 
     House Administration, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Designating the Democratic Cloakroom in the Hall of the House of 
  Representatives as the ``Gabrielle Giffords-Leo J. Ryan Cloakroom''.

Whereas Gabrielle Giffords was elected to the House of Representatives to 
        represent the 8th district of Arizona in 2006 and served from January 
        2007 to January 2012;
Whereas Giffords has served the public for over 15 years;
Whereas Giffords was the youngest person ever elected to the Arizona State 
        Senate, serving from 2000 to 2005;
Whereas Giffords was the third woman in Arizona history elected to Congress;
Whereas Congresswoman Giffords was widely known for her middle-of-the-road 
        political views, problem solving ethos, and commitment to bipartisanship 
        and cooperation;
Whereas Congresswoman Giffords's many achievements and inspirational service in 
        Congress included contributions to the strength of our armed forces, the 
        security of our Nation, the health and welfare of our veterans, our 
        progress toward a clean energy economy, and the interests of her 
        constituents in her beloved southern Arizona district;
Whereas Giffords prided herself on being accessible to her constituents;
Whereas, on January 8, 2011, while listening to her constituents at a ``Congress 
        on your Corner'' event in Tucson, a gunman attempted to assassinate 
        Congresswoman Giffords;
Whereas Congresswoman Giffords was shot and wounded along with 12 others while 
        an additional 6 people were killed, including her Congressional aide, 
        Gabriel Zimmerman;
Whereas in 2013 Congresswoman Giffords formed an organization to promote gun 
        violence prevention and responsible gun ownership;
Whereas Congresswoman Giffords continues to serve the American public by being 
        an outspoken advocate for solutions to gun violence;
Whereas Congressman Leo Ryan was an elected member of the House of 
        Representatives for the 11th district of California from 1973 through 
        1978, championing causes related to equality, freedom, human rights and 
        the protection of our democratic institutions, and represented an 
        unwavering example of dedication to public service;
Whereas Congressman Ryan's life was marked by his service, in the Navy during 
        World War II, as a teacher, a school administrator, South San Francisco 
        city councilman and mayor, and California assemblyman, before serving 
        three terms in the House of Representatives;
Whereas in his more than 40 years in elected office, Congressman Ryan worked to 
        ensure equal treatment of all, including the least fortunate and those 
        without a voice, and won the widespread respect of his colleagues and 
        the people he served;
Whereas Congressman Ryan took a hands-on approach to combat injustice, from 
        taking a job as a teacher in Watts to gain insight into the causes of 
        the Watts riots, or posing as an inmate at Folsom Prison to investigate 
        conditions, or going to Newfoundland to see for himself about the 
        slaughter of baby seals;
Whereas in 1978 House Majority Leader James Wright described Congressman Ryan as 
        having an ``ever-ready willingness to go where suffering was'';
Whereas when asked to describe his colleague, Rep. Robert Drinan of 
        Massachusetts said in 1978 that ``He was a gutsy, courageous guy,'' and 
        ``When he believed in something he just pressed and pressed.'';
Whereas Reverend Jim Jones' Peoples Temple was based in San Francisco, 
        California, and had recruited people from Congressman Ryan's nearby San 
        Mateo district;
Whereas following negative press reports, to avoid exposure cult leader Jim 
        Jones traveled to Guyana with his followers;
Whereas in 1974 an agricultural project was established in Guyana by the Peoples 
        Temple which would be known as Jonestown;
Whereas in 1978 several stories began to surface over relatives being held in 
        Guyana against their will and some constituents from Congressman Ryan's 
        district began to contact his office with concerns over their relatives 
        in Jonestown;
Whereas Congressman Ryan left for Guyana on November 14, 1978, accompanied by 
        two congressional staffers, nine journalists, and 18 relatives of 
        Jonestown residents;
Whereas the delegation arrived at Jonestown November 17, 1978, and several 
        Jonestown inhabitants expressed a desire to return to the United States;
Whereas the original delegation along with 15 Jonestown inhabitants attempted to 
        board planes at Port Kaituma airstrip but were fired upon by a Jones 
        loyalist and other gunmen;
Whereas an additional 40 Jonestown inhabitants were also awaiting transport to 
        leave Jonestown;
Whereas Congressman Ryan, one Jonestown inhabitant (Patricia Parks), and three 
        journalists (NBC news reporter Don Harris, NBC photographer Bob Brown, 
        and San Francisco Examiner photographer Greg Robinson) were shot to 
        death at the airstrip and nine others, including Congresswoman Jackie 
        Speier, were wounded;
Whereas Congressman Leo Ryan was the first Member of Congress to be assassinated 
        overseas while performing his Congressional duties;
Whereas Congressman Ryan stated, ``I learned that if you give in to fear you 
        can't do your job''; and
Whereas Congressman Ryan went above and beyond to provide service to his 
        constituents and to the people of the United States, exhibiting courage 
        and resilience: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the House of Representatives honors the work and public 
        service of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords;
            (2) the House extends its condolences to the family, 
        friends, and all those affected by the mass shooting on January 
        8, 2011;
            (3) the House of Representatives honors the legacy of 
        Congressman Leo J. Ryan for his lifelong commitment to 
        objective fact-finding and for his extraordinary commitment to 
        advancing freedom and basic human rights at home and abroad;
            (4) the House honors the bravery of Congressman Ryan and 
        his team members for undertaking a dangerous yet essential 
        fact-finding mission in Guyana;
            (5) the House extends its condolences to Congressman Ryan's 
        family and all those affected by the Jonestown tragedy; and
            (6) the Democratic Cloakroom in the Hall of the House of 
        Representatives (room H-222 of the United States Capitol) is 
        designated as the ``Gabrielle Giffords-Leo J. Ryan Cloakroom''.
                                 <all>
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