FULL REMARKS: Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords in Philadelphia

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REMARKS BY CAPTAIN MARK KELLY

Thank you, everyone.

I speak to you tonight as the proud son of two New Jersey cops.

As a veteran of 39 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, and 25 years in the United States Navy.

And as a former NASA astronaut and space shuttle commander.

My decades as a pilot, military officer, and astronaut gave me a unique perspective on our world.

I saw our country at its best.

I also saw humanity at its worst.

From the cockpit of my A6 Intruder, I saw America lead the international coalition that defeated Saddam Hussein.

I also saw the devastating effects of war itself.

From orbit, I saw our planet as a perfect blue marble.

But I also saw receding glaciers and shrinking rainforests.

At war and in space, I saw the awesome extent of American power and capability.

But it was frustrating to return home and see how we struggle to address some of our biggest challenges.

Just as Hillary is prepared to defeat ISIS , advance our values, and protect our freedoms, Hillary is ready to take on one of our country’s greatest moral failures at home:

The gun violence that is tearing so many of our communities apart.

We have to do better – and Hillary knows we can.

Hillary knows that we can save lives by doing more to keep guns out of the wrong hands.

We know that as president she’ll do what is right for our nation, NOT what is politically expedient.

She’ll stand up to the Washington gun lobby that works to protect a shameful status quo.

So if we want to leave our kids and grandkids a country with less gun violence – NOT more – then we need to make Hillary our president!

Now, I want to introduce you to someone who is working to do just that.

Someone who has taught me each and every day to deny the acceptance of failure.

And someone who believes, like Hillary does, that we are all stronger TOGETHER.

My wife. My wife, the awesome Congresswoman Gabby Giffords!


 

REMARKS BY CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

Hello, fellow Democrats!

What a crowd!

I’m honored to be here today.

We have important work ahead of us.

Work that will determine the future of our country.

Are you ready?  Are you ready?? Are you ready???

I’m ready!

In Congress, I learned a powerful lesson.

Strong women get things done!

Hillary is tough.

Hillary is courageous.

She will fight to make our families safer.

In the White House, she will stand up to the gun lobby.

That’s why I’m voting for Hillary!

Speaking is difficult for me.

But come January, I want to say these two words,

“Madam President.”

Thank you very much.

Tags 2016 Democratic convention Democratic Party Gabrielle Giffords Gun control Hillary Clinton Mark Kelly Mass shootings NRA Philadelphia Public safety United States

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