Saturday January 8, 2011 was a terrible day for Tucson, Arizona and all of America. On this day a gunman shot Representative Gabrielle Giffords and 20 other people. Six died including a 9 year old child Christina Taylor Green an American kid with dreams and a promising future.

Christina Green was born on another tragic day September 11, 2001. She was born when her family was living in West Grove, Pennsylvania,  and was one of the 50 “Faces of Hope” representing babies from 50 states who were born on 9/11. Their images were printed in a book and the proceeds of this book were used to raise money for a 9/11 charity.

Christina’s mother Roxanna Green said about Christina, “From the very beginning, she was an amazing child,” “She was very bright, very mature, off the charts. She was the brightest thing that happened that day.” (9-11).

Christina was on the student council at her elementary school. On this day she attended the rally of Representative Giffords the local congresswoman as a means of seeing government in action. She was a kid that was learning about politics, a very good speaker and perhaps one of our many hopes among American kids that could be a future politician.

Christina was an A student who loved animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. She volunteered at a children’s charity. Her mother said, “She belonged to Kids Helping Kids charity and tried to help children less fortunate.”

Christina’s mother said, “She was an athlete, a good dancer, a good gymnast, a good swimmer,”  Christina loved baseball and was on her Little League team. Her father John Green, is a supervising scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. Her grandfather, Dallas Green, had been a manager for the Yankees and Mets and managed the Philadelphia Phillies to the 1980.

Her mother said on Fox News, “I’m so proud of her. I’m still proud of her today. I know that she’s going to do great things in heaven. She’s my angel.”

Christina will be missed among her friends, family and those of us that did not know her but now know more about her and what a great kid she was.

With sadness Kids Speak for America gives a big OoRah to Christina Green who served as an inspiration to so many kids and adults during her short but active life.

~Kids Speak for America Contributor~