Teary-eyed House speaker pays tribute to Arizona victims

January 12, 2011 at 2:26p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner has opened a session of the House by honoring victims of Saturday’s shooting in Arizona.

The Ohio Republican told House members this morning that “our hearts are broken but our spirit is not.” Boehner spoke in a halting voice, his eyes welled up with tears.

Today’s six-hour session is a remembrance for the 19 people shot, six fatally. Many of the remarks are expected to focus on U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona Democrat shot in the head as she spoke to constituents outside a supermarket. Giffords is recovering in a hospital and is expected to survive.

Boehner says America will make it through the tragedy. He declared: “We will have the last word.”