US Congress in moving farewell as Giffords resigns

In a rare show of unity, the US Congress gave an emotional send-off to lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords as she resigned to focus on her remarkable recovery from a deranged gunman's bullet. Extraordinary scenes belied the bitter partisanship of recent years as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle paid tribute to the congresswoman, who has made stunning progress since the Tucson shooting just over a year ago. The Arizona Democrat, who vowed she will return to public service when she is fully recovered, was hailed by Democratic minority leader Nancy Pelosi as "an inspiring symbol of determination and courage to millions of Americans." Pelosi praised Giffords as "the brightest star this Congress has ever seen," and said: "You will be missed in the House of Representatives, but your legacy in this Congress and your leadership in our nation will certainly endure." Giffords was left fighting for her life on January 8, 2011 when alleged gunman Jared Loughner shot her through the front of the head at point-blank range before spraying a parking lot full of her constituents, killing six people including a federal judge and a nine-year-old girl. The 41-year-old rising star in the Democratic party made what only can be described as a miraculous recovery, but she continues to speak haltingly and decided to step down and concentrate fully on her rehabilitation. Elegantly coiffed and wearing a polished suit but walking with difficulty, Giffords was kissed and embraced in the chamber by scores of well-wishing representatives from Arizona and elsewhere, Democrat and Republican. On the previous night President Barack Obama gave her a warm hug as he entered the same chamber to give his State of the Union Speech to Congress. In Wednesday's most poignant moment, aided by her close friend and fellow Democratic lawmaker Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Giffords stepped up to House Speaker John Boehner and handed him her letter of resignation -- prompting a three-minute standing ovation before she walked off the House floor. Several teary-eyed lawmakers paid her warm tributes. "Gabby, we love you. We have missed you," said Steny Hoyer, who is one of the top Democrats in the Republican-led House. "And I miss you," a smiling Giffords responded from her front-row seat, to laughter and applause. Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor praised her "courage, her strength, and her downright fortitude," adding that all in Congress "are inspired, hopeful, and blessed for the incredible progress that Gabby has made in her recovery." In a sign that Giffords still has much of her rehabilitation ahead of her, she opted to have Wasserman Schultz read aloud her resignation letter. In it, she expressed "hope and faith that even as we are set back by tragedy or profound disagreement, in the end we come together as Americans to set a course toward greatness." "From my first steps and first words after being shot to my current physical and speech therapy, I have given all of myself to being able to walk back onto the House floor" and resume her work as a legislator, she said. "However, today I know that now is not the time. I have more work to do on my recovery before I can again serve in elected office," Giffords wrote. "I will recover and will return, and we will work together again, for Arizona and for all Americans," she said through Wasserman Schultz, to loud cheers. Wasserman Schultz, who perhaps more than anyone has kept Americans informed on Giffords's recovery, could not hold back her tears, and Giffords took her hand as her friend spoke about how US lawmakers should try to shed the bitterness and mistrust that has marked the last few years in Congress. "The most important thing to remember is that no matter what we argue about here on this floor or in this country, that there is nothing more important than family and friendship, and that should be held on high above all else," Wasserman Schultz said. With the resignation official, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer will now call a special election to fill the vacancy in the eighth congressional district to determine who will serve the remainder of Giffords's term.