President Calls for Moment of Silence at 11:00 am EST Today

The President has called for the nation to observe a moment of silence today at 11:00 am EST in honor of the victims of Saturday’s shooting in Tucson, AZ. The tragedy took the lives of six people and left many more wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), who was the target the attack according to law enforcement officials. Rep. Giffords remains in critical condition.

This is the text of President Obama’s statement yesterday:

“‘Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time, I call on Americans to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart.’

“The President will observe the moment of silence with White House staff on the South Lawn. The moment of silence will be pooled press.

“Today, the President has signed a proclamation calling for flags to be flown at half-staff.

“Also, the planned trip by the President to Schenectady, New York, on Tuesday, January 11, to the General Electric energy division is postponed. The trip is expected to be rescheduled.”

International Space Station (ISS) Commander Scott Kelly, who is Rep. Gifford’s brother-in-law, and the rest of the ISS crew will observe the moment of silence according to a NASA tweet.