Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has officially resigned her post as Representative of Arizona’s 8th congressional district.
STORY: Say It Ain’t So! Gabrielle Giffords Stepping Down!
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was hailed with cheers and crying colleagues as she said goodbye Wednesday, a year after she was gravely wounded by a would-be assassin while attending a Congress on your side rally in her Arizona district.
Gabby submitted her resignation to House Speaker John Boehner Wednesday morning after making the announcement in a video Sunday.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) praised Giffords, calling her saying:
“The brightest star this congress has ever seen. Your legacy in this congress and your leadership in our nation will certainly endure.”
Senate Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said:
“She has become an example for us … for indeed all the world. Of courage. Of clarity of purpose. Of grace. Gabby, we love you. We have missed you,” he said.
Last night Gabby attended President Obama’s third State of the Union and received a standing ovation as members of Congress cheered for the Arizona Rep.
Gabby has opted to resign so she can focus on her recovery after being shot last year when Jared Lee Loughner opened fire at Giffords’ “Congress on Your Corner” event in Tucson, killing six people and wounding 13 – including Giffords who suffered the gunshot wound to the head.
Mark Kelly, Gabby’s retired astronaut husband said:
“She realized she was not going to run for re-election and this point the right thing to do was for her to step down, but I’m more optimistic than anybody else about her future. She just needs some more time, whether it’s a year or two years or three years, I’m very confident she’s going to have a long and effective career as a public servant.”
Cheers to Gabby and her continuing recovery, we wish her nothing but the best. To read Gabby’s entire resignation letter, click here.
