Obama Honors Gay Man Who Aided Wounded Congresswoman

Daniel Hernandez is honored during the president's speech in Tucson last night

“We are grateful for Daniel Hernandez, a volunteer in Gabby’s office …you ran through the chaos to minister to your boss, and tended to her wounds and help keep her alive,” said President Obama, during a speech last night in Tucson, Ariz., where he memorialized the victims of last weekend’s shooting. During the memorial, he called on the nation to temper its politics for the health – and safety – of all Americans.

Hernandez, an openly gay 20-year-old intern and a student at the University of Arizona, aided the wounded congresswoman after a gunman opened fire on a crowd of people during a meet-and-greet at a shopping complex in downtown Tucson on Saturday. During last night’s speech, Hernandez said, “Although I appreciate the sentiment, I must reject the word hero, for I am not one.” Instead, he described the real heroes as those who “have dedicated themselves to public service.”

President Obama applauded Hernandez, followed by much applause from the audience. Here’s the president’s full speech: