UPDATE: WIA, USA and Other Statements About Rep. Giffords

UPDATE: Links to statements from additional groups have been added.

Many companies and organizations in the space “family” are issuing statements of concern and support for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who is in critical condition after being shot yesterday along with 19 others in Tucson, AZ. Among them are United Space Alliance (USA) and Women in Aerospace (WIA).

USA says on its website:

“Today was a very sad day for the NASA family and the American public with the shooting of our friend, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families of all those injured and killed today, and are especially with Congresswoman Giffords’ husband, Astronaut Mark Kelly; her parents; her children; and, of course, with the Congresswoman herself.

“Congresswoman Giffords is an optimistic, dynamic and upbeat Member of Congress. She is deeply respected for her many contributions to our nation on a wide variety of issues including the space program. We join her constituents, her colleagues in Congress and the entire NASA family in wishing Congresswoman Giffords a full and speedy recovery.”

WIA’s website has the following statement: “Women in Aerospace sends our most heartfelt support to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her staff, family, friends, and constituents, and all who have been impacted by today’s very sad events in Arizona. Gabby is a friend of WIA, and our thoughts are with her and everyone fighting to heal from this tragedy.”

Other groups issuing statements include:

• The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
• Coalition for Space Exploration
• Planetary Society
• American Astronautical Society

As we reported earlier, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden issued a statement yesterday.

Note: An earlier version of this story referenced a USA statement that was on Facebook. The current statement is on USA’s website.