Hundreds of congressional staffers and a few members of Congress gathered on the steps of the Capitol Building Monday morning to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of those killed and injured during Saturday’s shooting rampage at political event with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Ariz., that left six dead on Saturday.
With the temperature in Washington hovering just below freezing, bundled-up staffers filled nearly every step on the eastern front of the Capitol building. At 11:00 am, the chime of church bells just beyond the Capitol grounds was the only sound that could be heard, which prompted many of the attendees to bow their heads. Others clasped their hands together and looked forward solemnly.
Standing near the bottom of the steps, Missouri Democrat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver led the group in prayer.
“Help us move from this dark place to a place of sunshine,” Cleaver said. “Help keep our hearts pure.”
Members joining Cleaver included Texas Democrat Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, District of Columbia Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton and New Hampshire Republican Rep. Frank Guinta.
President Obama called for the moment of silence over the weekend and observed it at the White House at the same time.
The alleged gunman, 22-year-old Jared Loughner, has been formally charged on five counts, including murder of a federal employee and attempting to assassinate a public official.