Resignation: Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords to Continue Recovery as Private Citizen

Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) will resign from the House of Representatives this week, she announced in a video message that was posted Sunday, and embedded below.

Gabrielle Giffords was the victime of a gunshot wound to her head in an attack just about a year ago, on Jan. 8, 2011, during a political event in her district. She and eighteen other people were shot during the public meeting which was being held in a supermarket parking lot in Casas Adobes, near Tucson, Arizona. Of those, six died, including Arizona District Court Chief Judge John Roll, one of Rep. Giffords' staffers, and a nine-year-old girl, Christina Taylor-Green.

Speaking slowly and deliberately in the video, Giffords said,

"Arizona is my home, always will be. A lot has happened over the past year. We cannot change that. But I know on the issues we fought for we can change things for the better. Jobs, border security, veterans. 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 me 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 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. Thank you very much."

Jared Lee Loughner was arrested in the shooting. On January 19, 2011, a federal grand jury handed down a three-count indictment against Loughner for the attempt to assassinate Representative Giffords, and attempting to kill two federal employees, Ron Barber and Pamela Simon. Loughner was indicted on additional charges of murder and attempted murder on March 3, for a total of 49 counts.

On May 25, 2011, Loughner was found by a judge to be incompetent to stand trial based on two evaluations. However, later this month a new evaluation is due. That evaluation will be issued on January 25, 2012.

While gravely injured in the shooting, Giffords has enjoyed a remarkable recovery since being shot. Prior to that shooting, she had been considering a rising star in the Democratic Party, and had been considering a bid for the Arizona Senate this fall.

She is married to NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, who flew in STS-134, which was both his final mission and the final mission of space shuttle Endeavour. He did so after the shooting,r reportedly with her best wishes in the matter.

Image Source: Video Capture

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