Solar industry praises Giffords as 'one of the strongest advocates for solar in Congress'

The solar industry praised Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) this weekend as “one of the strongest advocates for solar in Congress.”

Giffords and 19 other people were shot Saturday in Tucson, Ariz. Six people were killed. Giffords remained in critical condition Monday, but doctors say they are “cautiously optimistic” that she will survive.

In a letter to the group’s members shortly after news of the shooting broke, Solar Energy Industries Association President Rhone Resch called Giffords “one of the go-to champions for solar in the House of Representatives.”

“The attack on Congresswoman Giffords is a mindless act of violence that defies reason and explanation,” Resch said in the letter. “I hope that Gabby is able to make a full recovery and return to her duties in Washington, not only because she has been a tireless advocate for solar, but because she has been an excellent public servant for Arizona’s 8th District and the American people.”

Giffords authored the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, which would instruct the Department of Energy to develop a long-term solar energy plan. The bill would also set aside more than $2 billion for solar energy research. The House passed the legislation in October of 2009. The Senate has not yet acted on the bill.

Here’s the full SEIA letter:

Dear SEIA Member –
 
As you may have seen in news reports, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-8) and 17 others were attacked at a constituent event in Tucson, Arizona. I was devastated to hear reports that Congresswoman Giffords had been critically wounded by the gunman, as Gabby is not only one of the strongest advocates for solar in Congress, but an excellent example of everything a public servant should be. I have been honored to get to know this extraordinary woman over the last few years and I am keeping her, her family and the other victims in Tucson in my thoughts and prayers.
 
In her short time in Congress, Gabby has realized a number of accomplishments covering a wide range of issues. For our industry, she has constantly positioned herself as one of the go-to champions for solar in the House of Representatives. In two terms, Congresswoman Giffords:
 
-was a key supporter in the House as SEIA pushed for the 8-year extension of the solar investment tax credit and the recent one-year extension of the Treasury Grant Program.
 
- introduced the Solar Technology Roadmap Act to dedicate over $2 billion to new research partnerships and demonstration projects to accelerate the deployment of commercialized solar energy technologies.
 
-championed public awareness for solar by launching the Solar Power 101 educational series to help inform her constituents on the benefits and opportunities to go solar.
 
-installed a 2 kW PV system on her Tucson home in 2010.
 
The attack on Congresswoman Giffords is a mindless act of violence that defies reason and explanation. I hope that Gabby is able to make a full recovery and return to her duties in Washington, not only because she has been a tireless advocate for solar, but because she has been an excellent public servant for Arizona’s 8th District and the American people.
 
Please keep Congresswoman Giffords and the other victims of this senseless tragedy in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.
 
Sincerely,
Rhone Resch
President and CEO