In response to the Arizona shooting spree, the family of the accused gunman expressed sorrow over the "heinous events" on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the congresswoman who was shot in the head is showing signs of improvement. The relatives of Jared Lee Loughner, 22, issued their first public statement, acknowledging the challenging time and requesting privacy. The statement, attributed to "The Loughner Family," conveyed their inability to find words to adequately express their emotions. The eight-sentence statement did not mention the young man charged in the shooting at a Tucson shopping mall that resulted in the deaths of six people, including a federal judge, and the injury of 14 others. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was left in critical condition after being shot, but she was able to breathe on her own a few days later despite a bullet passing through her brain. The family expressed their confusion and sorrow over the tragic events, stating that they wished they could change what happened and expressing deep sympathy for the victims and their families. Giffords, a 40-year-old Democrat, was in critical condition at a Tucson hospital but is "holding her own," responding to simple commands and breathing without the aid of her ventilation tube, according to her doctor. Dr. Michael Lemole, head of neurosurgery at the University Medical Center, expressed hope for her recovery despite the uncertainty, stating "She has no right to look this good. We're hopeful." Lemole emphasized that Giffords will take her recovery at her own pace, with progress being measured on a week to week, month to month basis. President Barack Obama is planning to travel to Arizona on Wednesday to attend a memorial service for the victims of a shooting, including a 9-year-old girl. In Washington, the House of Representatives was set to vote on condemning the violent attack that nearly took the life of one of their colleagues and sparked discussions about the heated political atmosphere of recent campaigns. The parents of the accused gunman, Jared Loughner, are said to be devastated by the events. Loughner is currently in custody and will have a preliminary hearing on January 24 for five federal charges, including the attempted assassination of Representative Giffords. Their son is not Amy and Randy, and it is important for people to realize that. The parents are heartbroken. Wouldn't you feel the same way if it were your child?" Emotional neighbor Wayne Smith expressed to Phoenix's News Channel Three. According to a CBS News poll published on Tuesday, most Americans do not believe that heated political discourse played a role in the recent shootings in Arizona. The survey showed that 57 percent of participants believed that the aggressive political language was not connected to the shooting, while 32 percent thought it was. Republicans were the most likely to reject any link, with 69 percent saying that harsh rhetoric did not play a role in the attack. Although the reason behind the attack was unclear, some politicians and commentators suggested that a climate of strong language and ideological division could have been a factor. Former President Bill Clinton warned that public officials should be cautious with their words, noting the influence of the Internet and the echo-chamber effect it creates. Lawmakers from both parties are urging for more civility in politics, and members of Congress will gather for a bipartisan prayer service. Colleagues of Giffords in Congress paused their work after the shooting, leading them to reconsider their security measures. The House, led by Republicans, delayed a vote to repeal the healthcare system overhaul supported by Giffords and other Democrats. Loughner allegedly used a semi-automatic Glock pistol to open fire on Giffords and constituents in a supermarket parking lot. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer expressed in a speech in Tucson that six loved ones were taken away in a minute, leaving a profound impact on the community's well-being. The memorial service for the shooting victims at St. Odilia Catholic Church in Tucson was attended by over 600 mourners. In response to potential protests at the victims' funerals, Arizona state lawmakers passed a bill to prevent members of a Kansas fundamentalist Christian church from picketing. Governor Brewer promptly signed the bill into law. The small church's members have become known for showing up at military funerals to proclaim that God is punishing the troops because the United States tolerates homosexuality. They also attended the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards.