Rep. Jim Costa this morning called for more civility among people of all political persuasions during a gathering outside Fresno City Hall to honor those killed and wounded in Saturday's shooting in Arizona.

Costa, D-Fresno, was joined by Mayor Ashley Swearengin and several City Council members in observing a national moment of silence for the victims, including Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot point-black in the head but survived.

Costa called Giffords a friend and colleague, as well as a fellow Blue Dog Democrat. "She is a joy to be around," he said.

Costa added that Saturday's shooting, which left six dead, "has shaken the House."

Costa called for everyone to "throttle back" political rhetoric surrounding the shooting. "It is irresponsible, whether you are on talk radio or cable news programs, to use terminology that is unfounded and unfactual to play upon people's emotions of fear and frustration," he said. "We all love our country. We all care about our country."

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