KVOA

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday will speak about border security to ranchers from across Arizona who are gathered in Tucson this week for their 106th annual convention.

During the convention, Giffords also will receive the organization’s Public Service Award for her work to secure the border.

The congresswoman is expected to start speaking at 8 a.m. at the convention at Loews Ventana Canyon. She will then take questions.

More than 300 ranching families are scheduled to attend the annual three-day convention. During her Saturday morning speech, Giffords will discuss her recent efforts to strengthen security along the border, especially on the isolated ranches of Southeastern Arizona.

It was in that part of the state that Rob Krentz, a rancher, was killed March 27. Immediately after Krentz was killed, Giffords said a swift, strong response was needed and she called for the deployment of the National Guard.

President Obama agreed in late May to send 1,200 troops to the nation’s Southern border. The first troops are expected to begin arriving Aug. 1.