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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 12, 2006
Contact: Giffords Campaign
520-512-0012

Arizona Fire, Police, and Highway Patrol Back Giffords

TUCSON €“ Labor organizations which represent Arizona’s First Responders have endorsed the candidacy of former state Sen. Gabrielle Giffords for the U.S. Congress.

Giffords, a Democrat running in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, has won backing from the following unions:

  • The Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs (AZCOPS), Local 7077, a coalition of eighty-two law enforcement associations with over 6,000 members. AZCOPS is also part of the Communications Workers of America/National Coalition of Public Safety Officers, and includes the following organizations:
    • Benson Police Officers Association
    • Douglas Police Officers Association
    • Marana Police Officers Association
    • Oro Valley Police Officers Association
    • Pascua Yaqui Police Association
    • Sahuarita Police Officers Association
    • Sierra Vista Police Officers Association
    • Tucson Police Officers Association
    • Tucson Police Commanders Association
    • Cochise County Law Enforcement Association
    • Cochise County Probation Association
    • Pima County Attorney Criminal Investigators Association
    • Pima County Association Corrections Professionals
    • Pima County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
    • Pima Juvenile Corrections Association
    • Pima County Probation Officers Association
    • Santa Cruz County Deputies Association
  • The Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona
  • Tucson Fire Fighters Association, Local 479
  • The Associated Highway Patrolmen of Arizona

These groups have joined a growing coalition of unions, professional groups and community leaders who support Giffords for Congress, in addition to the over 1,500 individuals who have donated their personal time and money to the campaign.

“We know that Sen. Giffords is committed to public safety, because she supported us in our mission when she was in the Arizona Senate,” said Jim Parks, AZCOPS President. “She has proven herself to be a great ally in state government and we know that when she gets to Washington, DC, she will continue to be an effective advocate for public safety.”

Tim Hill, Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona President, noted that his organization endorsed Sen. Giffords when she ran for the state Senate, where she established a strong record of support for keeping communities safe.

“At a time when a lot of people talk tough about security and safety, Gabrielle Giffords has a record of making safety a priority,” said Hill. “She supported legislation that was beneficial to firefighters in the State Senate and we look forward to working with her in Washington.”

Brain Delfs, Tucson Fire Fighters Association President said that, “Sen. Giffords accurately represented Tucson’s interests in the Senate, and with her record, I’m confident she will accurately represent Southern Arizona’s interest in Washington, D.C.”

Andy Swann, President of the Associated Highway Patrolmen of Arizona, said that, “Senator Giffords was a consistent supporter of legislation to protect the rights of Highway Patrol Officers. She was an advocate for us in the State Senate.”

Senator Giffords was pleased to receive the support of Arizona’s First Responders. “Public Safety officers have never been more important to the American people, so I am very proud to be endorsed by police officers, firefighters and law enforcement personnel,” she said. “I take seriously the responsibility to represent Southern Arizona in a way that protects families and promotes public safety. I can think of no better partners in that critical mission than the organizations whose endorsements I have recently received.”

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