Perlmutter addresses Giffords tragedy, says he hopes to continue his own grocery meetings

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., gave a short speech on the floor of the Congress today, honoring critically injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz, who was shot in the head during a meet-and-greet event in Tucson Saturday.

He spoke of having been friends with Giffords since they each served in their state legislatures.

He said meetings like the one Giffords was conducting in front of a grocery store are an essential part of being an effective member of Congress.

Perlmutter has held 70 similar meetings in the four years he has been in Congress. It was incorrectly reported a few days ago that Perlmutter would not be doing any more Government in the Grocery meetings, but he said no decisions have been made.

He said he is working with the grocery stores and with local police to determine the best plan moving forward.