Gabrielle Giffords to Step Down From Congress
“Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery. So to do what is best for Arizona, I will step down this week…I’m getting better.”
Fifty-four weeks after being shot in the head at close range, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona announced in a video posted to her YouTube channel that she will be stepping down this week.
She will also not seek reelection, according to Giffords’ staffers.
As you no doubt remember, the Democrat who represented Arizona’s 8th district was shot by Jared Lee Loughner on Jan. 8 2011. Six people were killed in the mass shooting, 13 were injured. Giffords, who was pronounced dead by several major news organizations, miraculously survived the critical injury.
Giffords moved to a treatment facility in Houston, Texas, where she re-learned how to walk, talk, read and write. Back in May, Giffords traveled to Kennedy Space Center to watch her husband blast off into space — Mark Kelly commanded final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Here’s the full statement from the video you really should watch above: “Arizona is my home, always will be. A lot has happened over the past year. We need to not change that but I know on the issues we fought for we can change things for the better. We can do so much more by working together. I don’t remember much from that horrible day but I will never forget the trust you placed in be to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery and so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week I’m getting better every day. My spirit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country.”
She’ll be back…eventually. Until then, she will be missed.
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