Daniel Hernandez Talks About Equality at HRC HQ

The following is from HRC’s Online Content Manager, Dan Rafter:

Daniel Hernandez, the Congressional intern widely credited with saving the life of Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, visited HRC this morning to discuss acceptance and ongoing efforts to advance equality.

Hernandez, who is gay, had been on the job for just five days when Giffords and 18 others were shot at a “Congress on Your Corner” event outside of Tucson. He provided medical aid to the Congresswoman and other shooting victims, and accompanied Giffords to the hospital.

Occurring just weeks after the President signed legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Hernandez said the shooting serves as a reminder that LGBT Americans make critical contributions and sacrifices on a daily basis.

“We are in every part of the American community,” said Hernandez. “The best thing we can do is to be extraordinary as we live ordinary lives – to live, love and learn.”

Hernandez cited the unity and toned-down political rhetoric seen after the shooting as a positive sign for acceptance. He will be sitting next to First Lady Michelle Obama during tomorrow night’s State of the Union address.

From the Arizona Republic:

The link is here

Daniel Hernandez, the intern who rushed to the aid of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was shot in the head, will be honored during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday, which also happens to be the 20-year-old's birthday.

Hernandez, a University of Arizona junior, will sit with first lady Michelle Obama while the president delivers his speech.

"It's definitely a great honor, not only because I will be attending, but because I will be sitting in the same box as the first lady. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Hernandez said Sunday, moments before he was scheduled to board a flight at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, headed for the nation's capital.

C.J. Karamargin, Giffords' congressional spokesman, said Sunday that other State of the Union guests might include the congresswoman's Tucson medical team.

He said plans were not final, but Drs. Peter Rhee, Michael Lemole and Randall Friese and nurse Tracy Culbert of University Medical Center may attend the address.

Hernandez will be in Washington with his father, also named Daniel Hernandez, a 61-year-old retired construction worker and contractor. The senior Hernandez will watch the State of the Union address from a monitor at the White House.

Hernandez has become internationally known after his heroic actions on Jan. 8, when the cool-headed college student defied a gunman's rampage and rushed to Giffords' side, applying pressure to a wound on her forehead and holding her hand until she arrived at the hospital.

He is credited with helping to save Giffords' life with his quick thinking.

Six people died and 13 were wounded in the massacre outside a Safeway north of Tucson.

Gov. Jan Brewer singled out Hernandez during her State of the State address on Jan. 10, as did Obama during a nationally televised memorial on Jan. 12 at the University of Arizona.

Hernandez said the White House contacted him on Wednesday through Kelly Paisley, the woman who has been helping him arrange interviews, to invite him to the State of the Union address.

Hernandez immediately called his parents, who were excited but concerned.

"They wanted to make sure it didn't interfere with school, because that is still my main priority," he said.

Hernandez is a political-science major and is one of 26 directors of the Arizona Student Association, a group of students from UA, ASU and Northern Arizona University, that advocates for affordable and accessible higher education in the state.

Hernandez said he and his father plan to tour the White House, the Capitol and monuments before returning to Tucson late Wednesday.

Hernandez will turn 21 on Tuesday.

"It's a huge coincidence," he said.

Republic reporter Dan Nowicki contributed to this article.