U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced her plans to step down from Congress Sunday.
She first took to her Facebook page to announce her plans, saying, “I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down from Congress this week.”
She posted a video of her announcement also.
“Arizona is my home, always will be,” says Giffords in the video posted to Youtube earlier today. “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,” she says. “We can do so much more by working together.”
The video takes viewers through her time at rehab after suffering an assassination attempt. A gunman opened fire in January 2011, at an Arizona grocery store where Giffords was hosting an event. Giffords was one of 13 wounded in the attack while six people were killed.
“I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice,” she says in the video. “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.”
At the time of the attack, Giffords had just beat out a tea party candidate and won a third term with less than a 1 percent margin, According to the Associated Press. Giffords chose not to seek another term, though she says in the video, she will return.
“I’m getting better. Every day, my spirit is high,” said Giffords. “I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country. Thank you very much.”
Check it out.
