noelle walker has words at the hospital where he visited surviving victims. >>> a public memorial last night. a time for reflection and recovery. >> the hopes of a nation are here tonight. >> the service was punctuated by moments of grief over the loss of so many and jubilation for those who survived at the hospital. president obama visited congresswoman geab giffords. that wasn't the highlight. that came after he left her beb side. >> gabby opened her eyes for the first time so i can tell you she knows we are here. >> from the people who were there for her when it counted most, the people who stopped a gunman and saved lives, there is a lesson. >> heroism is here in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, all-around us waiting to be summoned. as it was on saturday morning. >> obama said it's natural to demand explanation and point blame and issued a challenge. >> it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds. >> to hit home the point, president obama pointed out youngest victim was a bu

i'm noelle walker. back to you. >> so many compelling story angles coming out after the shooting including the story of a 20-year-old intern. he has been called a hero tonight. daniel hernandez rushed to her aid seconds after she was shot. he had been an intern for her for five days he applied pressure while he waited for responders to arrive. he said she was alert and able to hold his hand. >>> in washington, d.c. republicans and democrats set aside the bickering and are united in grief for the colleague. flags are flying at half-staff at the nation's capital. the house is putting law making on hold and that includes a polarizing vote to repeal the health care reform bill. >> an attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. >> as i walked in, two members of congress were giving each other a hug. >> it's a moment for both parties to come together. we absolutely have to realize that we are all in this for the same reason. >> house republican leaders cleared this week's schedule except for one r

noelle walker, nbc news, tucson. >> per our nbc network coverage of the shooting continues with tracie potts taking a look at how the violence is changing the way business is done in washington. >> i and every other member of congress has to go out there tomorrow or the next day and make ourselves available to the public. >> at flags flying half-staff for a moment of silence, members of congress are fully aware that they too are at risk of being targeted. >> she was out doing her job as a member of congress. some deranged man shot her down. >> an attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. >> there is a debate on whether the tone of politics may be leading to violence. >> this type of vicious inflammatory rhetoric doesn't help a situation like this. >> congress said they will honor gabrielle giffords and the victims at arizona. there will be no business or vote this is week including the health care repeal now put off as members consider whether extra security is needed at public events. >> at least a show of law enforcement to make sure that my staff is protected. >> no wo

reporting live, noelle walker. back to you. >> late this afternoon senator dianne feinstein joined the politicians weighing in on yesterday's shooting. she said quote, i have seen first-hand the effects of assassination and there is no place for this kichbld violence in our political discourse. it must be universally condemned. my thoughts and prayers are with representative giffords and her family and the family of judge roll and all of the other victims and their kuved ones. many will recall she was at the center of the chaos and made the announcement when mayor and harvey melky were killed. >> moth mayor and supervisor harvey milk have been shot and killed. >> that was november 27, 1978. and it was feinstein, then president of the board who heard the shots and discovered milk's body. lawmakers are sending condolences to the victims and the shooting is also created a rare moment of bipartisan harmony. brian moore has that. >> reporter: the take on gabrielle giffords in arizona has led to a truce of sorts in washi

. >> that was noelle walker reporting. events are planned to honor and remember and support the shooting victims. tracie potts now continues our coverage live in washington, d.c. with what's planned on the nation's capital. tracy? >> good morning, everyone. at 11:00 a.m. eastern about 1 1/2 hours from now, president obama will lead the nation in a moment of silence. those who were killed and those who are still fighting for their lives. also he ordered the flags be flown at half-staff. deciding to cutoff his trip to new york saying instead this is a time to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection. here on capitol hill, congress decided to put off business for a week. there will be no votes or legislation, including the vote scheduled on wednesday to repeal the health care law. some members may get briefings as they return. some expressed concern and not so much about the securities here, but about the security in their districts at events like the that giffords attended. they attend these types of events every da