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gunman attempted to assassinate Congresswoman Gif-
fords; 
Whereas Congresswoman Giffords was shot and wounded 
along with 12 others while an additional 6 people were 
killed, including her congressional aide, Gabriel Zimmer-
man; 
Whereas in 2013 Congresswoman Giffords formed an organi-
zation to promote gun violence prevention and responsible 
gun ownership; 
Whereas Congresswoman Giffords continues to serve the 
American public by being an outspoken advocate for solu-
tions 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 pro-
tection 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, Con-
gressman 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 pos-
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ing as an inmate at Folsom Prison to investigate condi-
tions, or going to Newfoundland to see for himself about 
the slaughter of baby seals; 
Whereas in 1978 House Majority Leader James Wright de-
scribed Congressman Ryan as having an ‘‘ever-ready will-
ingness 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 some-
thing 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 fol-
lowers; 
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 rel-
atives 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 de-
sire to return to the United States;
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Whereas the original delegation along with 15 Jonestown in-
habitants 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 (Pa-
tricia 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 pro-
vide 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 commit-
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ment 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 dan-
gerous yet essential fact-finding mission in Guyana; 
(5) the House extends its condolences to Congress-
man Ryan’s family and all those affected by the Jones-
town 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’’. 
Attest: 
Clerk.