Members of Congress and staff members gather to observe a...

Members of Congress and staff members gather to observe a moment of silence for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and other shooting victims on the East Steps of the Capitol. (Jan. 10, 2011) Credit: AP

President Barack Obama has presided over a national moment of silence for severely injured Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the people who were killed during an assassination attempt against her.

On the White House South Lawn, Obama was joined by first lady Michelle Obama and White House staff members on a cold morning.

The moment was marked at the U.S. Capitol and elsewhere around a nation still coming to grips with the tragedy.

Giffords is in intensive care at a Tuscon hospital after being shot in the head at close range. Among the five others killed were Arizona’s chief federal judge, a 9-year-old girl and one of Giffords’ aides.

Prosecutors have charged a 22-year-old Jared Loughner on a series of counts, including attempted assassination of a member of Congress.

The test represents the latest effort to combat Lyme, the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa spoke with local experts on what you can do to prevent this disease. Credit: Newsday Studios; File Footage

'You have to check your entire body' The test represents the latest effort to combat Lyme, the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa spoke with local experts on what you can do to prevent this disease.

The test represents the latest effort to combat Lyme, the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa spoke with local experts on what you can do to prevent this disease. Credit: Newsday Studios; File Footage

'You have to check your entire body' The test represents the latest effort to combat Lyme, the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa spoke with local experts on what you can do to prevent this disease.

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