ARIZONA – After sustaining a brutal attack a year ago when she was shot at point-blank range in the head on January 8, 2011, at the “Congress on Your Corner” public event in Tuscon last year that also took the lives of six other people, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has made the decision to step down from Congress.
According to a statement she posted on her Congressional website, her last appearance as a member of Congress will be when she attends President Barack Obama's Tuesday night’s State of the Union address before submitting her resignation to Speaker John Boehner on Wednesday. A special election will be scheduled to fill Giffords’ seat for the remainder of her term.
While Giffords has made a remarkable recovery she said there is still more to do.
"I have more work to do on my recovery so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week," Giffords in her video message.
"I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country."
Prior to the devastating shooting, Giffords was a rising star among the Democratic Party and was on her way to making a bid for the Senate. Her amazing courage during her recovery has been applauded by her colleagues.
“I salute Congresswoman Giffords for her service, and for the courage and perseverance she has shown in the face of tragedy. She will be missed,” House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement.
Giffords also said on her Congressional website that she plans to “finish” the “Congress on Your Corner” event where the shooting happened before she officially leaves her seat in Congress.
Video – Giffords video message about her resignation from Congress.
Photos – Gabrielle Giffords and astronaut husband Mark Kelly
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