Memorial to Honor January 8 Victims & Heroes

Community-Driven Process to Honor Jan 8 Victims & Heroes Under Way

The public is encouraged to submit ideas for a tribute to honor the victims and heroes of Tucson’s tragic shootings on Jan. 8, 2011.

The Tucson Pima Arts Council is collecting ideas on how to capture the spirit that gave rise to the spontaneous memorials at University Medical Center, Safeway and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ district office. The community support evident at each location is a testimony to Tucson’s extraordinary resilience.

Please email your ideas to: memorial@tucsonpimaartscouncil.org.

The realization of an appropriate tribute will unfold with community input. The initial priority will be to hear from those who have been directly impacted by the tragedy.

Rep. Giffords’ office, University Medical Center, Safeway and the Pima County Attorney’s Office Victim Services Division all share a common goal: This process must be sensitive, community-driven and inspired by the kind of hope and optimism that characterized our response to the tragedy.

Hundreds of remembrances and keepsakes placed at Rep. Giffords’ office, UMC and Safeway have been recorded and archived under the direction of the University of Arizona Library Special Collections. These mementos are now a permanent part of Tucson history and will be treated with dignity and respect.

See also: www.rememberingjanuary8.org