Gabrielle Giffords to Complete Last Event as Congresswoman
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Gabrielle Giffords pictured with her husband Mark Kelly. ABC/Ida Mae Astute(TUCSON, Ariz.) — Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will make her last trip to Tucson as a member of Congress on Monday to complete an event that was interrupted last January when a gunman opened fire, killing six people and injuring 13 others, including Giffords.
Giffords was holding her “Congress On Your Corner” event at a suburban Arizona supermarket on Jan. 8, 2011 when Jared Loughner shot her in the head. Since then, the Democratic congresswoman has made a remarkable recovery, regaining her ability to speak, but much work remains as Giffords noted on Sunday, when she announced she was leaving office.
“I have more work to do on my recovery and so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week,” she said in a two-minute video announcement of her decision, which was posted on her website and on YouTube.
In the video, Giffords also thanked those who prayed for her and vowed to make a comeback.
“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 said.
Monday’s “Congress at Your Corner” event will be private, according to a statement from Giffords, and will feature some of the people who were injured during the shooting as well as some of the heroes of that day.
Also on Monday, Giffords will meet with community leaders who advised her on various issues.
The day after, she plans to attend President Obama’s State of the Union address.
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