Rep. Shelley Berkley hosts ‘Congress on Your Corner’ in wake of Giffords shooting

By Delen Goldberg

Published Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 | 11:35 a.m.

Updated Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 | 2:50 p.m.

More than 75 people showed up Friday to meet with Rep. Shelley Berkley.

Some wanted to discuss typical constituent issues: Social Security, health care, unemployment. But many gathered at Berkley's Las Vegas district office to show support for the congresswoman and her friend, Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Giffords was shot in the head last weekend when a gunman opened fire at a “Congress on Your Corner” event she was hosting in Tucson. Six people died and 14 were injured.

Berkley announced Monday that she planned her own "Congress on Your Corner" to honor Giffords. She was one of the first members of Congress to do so, although several have since followed.

Berkley said she wants to make clear to constituents that her office "is open for business as usual."

People quickly filled the 50 available slots for meetings with the congresswoman. The event became so jammed that some constituents were turned away. Staff noted those people's concerns and promised to follow up with them within a week.

Jerry and Ty Weinert came to the event to ask Berkley about federal education funding. The parents of two said they worry about the effects of state budget cuts on Nevada schools.

Ty Weinert praised Berkley for holding the meetings but said she was surprised it wasn't in a more public place.

"I was hoping she'd go out more into the community," Weinert said. "But it's still a great opportunity for folks, and now they know where her district office is."

Berkley considered holding the event at a mall but said she has had trouble scheduling meetings in public venues, even before last weekend's shooting.

"It was difficult to get them to agree to host us," she explained.

Metro Police staffed the parking lot of the building. More uniformed officers patrolled the halls inside.

Most people said they weren't worried about their safety, but Berkley said she wanted to be sure her constituents "know they can talk to their Congress person, and they'll be OK."