Schumer, Lowey Talk About Need for Change in Political Discussion

A planned appearance by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, and Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, at a senior center to talk about the benefits of recently passed health-care legislation inevitably led to questions about security and political debate, in the wake of Saturday's shooting in Arizona that wounded 14 people, including a congresswoman, and killed six, including a federal judge.

Prior to the arrival of Schumer and Lowey, two New Rochelle police were seen searching the Hugh A. Doyle Senior Center on Davis Avenue with a canine officer in tow. City Manager Charles Strome said he requested an officer be present during the legislators' appearance.

"The senator and I have been in a great deal of pain these last few days," Lowey said, referring to the shooting of her colleague Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.

"She was doing as I do," she said, holding neighborhood meetings with constituents to see what's on their minds.

Lowey appealed for a different sense of political discourse in the nation.

"I hope—and I know the senator joins me—that we cannot accept the meanness and nastiness in our society," she said. "There is no reason for violence."

Lowey said she will continue to represent her constituents.

"Life goes on," she said.

Schumer said he was hoping for the best outcome for Giffords and the others who were injured.

"It seems like a miracle" that she is responding, he said. The New York Times reported that Gifford is continuing to follow simple commands. She was shot at point-blank range in the head, with the bullet going completely through the left side of her brain.

Schumer said he hopes that some good will come out of the tragedy, that spirited debate will remain without a mean-spirited tone.

He said he did not want to point fingers at political figures or commentators may have spurred the 22-year-old Jared L. Loughner to action.

"We don't know enough about the man who was arrested," Schumer said.

He said he and his colleagues need to be able to get out and meet with residents who they represent, adding that a wall cannot go up separating legislators from their constituents.

"I have not asked for any extra protection," Schumer said. He will leave those decisions up to local law enforcement.

Lowey said she thought this latest incident could lead to new bills on gun control.

"I hope the American people will wake up and know why this is so essential," she said.

Lowey said the state of political discourse has never been as bad during her 22 years in Congress as it is now and something has to change.

"I've never seen it like this," she said.

Schumer is the senior senator from New York. Lowey represents the 18th Congressional District which includes parts of Westchester and Rockland counties.