Special: LGBTQ Community Ally Representative Gabrielle Giffords Will Resign Her Seat Wednesday

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

By Brody Levesque | HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who represents Arizona's 8th Congressional District which encompasses Pima County and the area in and around the city of Tuscon, Arizona, announced today in a video taped YouTube message to her constituents and supporters that she will resign from Congress this week.

Giffords, popularly known as 'Gabby, cited her continuing efforts toward recovery from wounds she received in the assassination attempt last January 8th, which resulted in Giffords suffering a life altering head wound, as primary reason for stepping down from her seat.

The congresswoman has astonished family, friends, and her doctors with her remarkable recovery since the shooting which left six others dead, including a sitting federal Judge.

"I have more work to do on my recovery so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week," she said in a video message posted to YouTube. "I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country."

A statement posted on her Congressional website stated that Giffords will attend Tuesday night's presidential State of the Union address as one of her final acts as a member of the Congress before submitting her resignation to House Speaker John Boehner the next day, Wednesday. The statement also says Giffords plans to "finish" the Congress on your Corner event where the shooting happened before she leaves office.

MSNBC reported:

Prior to that shooting, she had been considered a rising Democratic star, and had been considering a bid for Senate this fall. During the course of her recovery, she has been absent from Capitol Hill except for a surprise return to vote in August on an agreement to raise the nation's debt ceiling.

“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.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi reacted to the announcement in a statement saying Giffords "has been a true bright star - a dynamic and creative public servant. Gabby's message of bipartisanship and civility is one that all in Washington and the nation should honor and emulate." Pelosi continued, "I join all my colleagues in Congress in thanking Gabby for the honor of calling her colleague and wishing Gabby and Mark great success and happiness. She will be missed in the House of Representatives, but her legacy in the Congress and her leadership for our nation will certainly continue."

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