Jump to content

Gabby Giffords

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Gabrielle Giffords)
For the U.S. Navy vessel, see USS Gabrielle Giffords.

Gabby Giffords
Giffords in 2022
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 8th district
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 25, 2012
Preceded byJim Kolbe
Succeeded byRon Barber
Member of the Arizona Senate
from the 28th district
In office
January 8, 2003 – December 1, 2005
Preceded byRandall Gnant
Succeeded byPaula Aboud
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 13th district
In office
January 1, 2001 – January 8, 2003
Preceded byAndy Nichols
Succeeded bySteve Gallardo
Personal details
Born
Gabrielle Dee Giffords

(1970-06-08) June 8, 1970 (age 54)
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (since 2000)
Other political
affiliations		Republican (1988–2000)
Spouse
​
(m. 2007)​
RelativesGwyneth Paltrow, Jake Paltrow (second cousins)
EducationScripps College (BA)
Cornell University (MRP)
Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom (2022)
SignatureGabrielle Giffords
Gabby Giffords's voice
Giffords honors the work of the Arizona HIDTA task force
Recorded April 21, 2010

Gabrielle Dee Giffords (born June 8, 1970) is an American retired politician and gun control activist. She served as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona's 8th congressional district from January 2007 until January 2012, when she resigned because of a severe brain injury suffered during an assassination attempt. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to the U.S. Congress.

Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Giffords graduated from Scripps College and Cornell University. After initially moving to New York City, where she worked in regional economic development for Price Waterhouse, she returned to Arizona to work as the CEO of El Campo Tire Warehouses, a family business started by her grandfather. She served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2001 until 2003 and the Arizona Senate from 2003 until 2005 when she was elected to the U.S. House.

She had just begun her third term in January 2011 when she was shot in the head in an assassination attempt and mass shooting just outside of Tucson during an event with constituents. Giffords has since recovered much of her ability to walk, speak, read, and write. She was greeted by a standing ovation upon her return to the House floor in August 2011. She attended President Obama's State of the Union address on January 24, 2012, and appeared on the floor of the House the following day, at which time she formally submitted her resignation, receiving a standing ovation and accolades from her colleagues and the leadership of the House.

Though a moderate on the issue during her time in Congress, Giffords has since become an ardent advocate for gun control. In January 2013, she and her husband launched Americans for Responsible Solutions, a non-profit organization and Super-PAC which later joined with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence to become the organization Giffords. She is married to former Space Shuttle Commander Mark Kelly, who is the junior senator from Arizona.

Early life and education

Gabrielle Dee Giffords was born on June 8, 1970 and grew up in Tucson, Arizona;[1] her parents were Gloria Kay (née Fraser) and Spencer J. Giffords. She was raised in a mixed religious environment, as her mother was a Christian Scientist and her father was Jewish. Her paternal grandfather, Akiba Hornstein, was a Jewish emigrant from Lithuania who changed his name to Giffords to avoid anti-Semitism in the United States.[2] Through her father, Giffords is a second cousin of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and director Jake Paltrow.[3]

Giffords graduated from Tucson's University High School. She is a former Girl Scout. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Latin American History from Scripps College in California in 1993;[4] and spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar in Chihuahua, Mexico.[5] She returned to graduate school, earning a Master's degree in Regional Planning from Cornell University in 1996. She focused her studies on Mexican-American relations.[4]

Giffords worked as an associate for regional economic development at Price Waterhouse in New York City. In 1996, she became president and CEO of El Campo Tire Warehouses, a local chain of auto service centers founded by her grandfather. The business was sold to Goodyear Tire in 2000. At the time of the sale, she commented on the difficulties local businesses face when competing against large national firms.[6]

Since 2001, she has practiced Judaism exclusively and belongs to Congregation Chaverim, a Reform synagogue, in Tucson.[7][8]

Arizona legislature

Elections

Giffords switched her party affiliation from Republican to Democratic in 2000 and was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2001.[9] She was elected to the Arizona Senate in the fall of 2002, at the time the youngest woman elected to that body. She took office in January 2003 and was re-elected in 2004. She resigned from the Arizona Senate on December 1, 2005, in preparation for her congressional campaign.

Tenure

In early 2005, Giffords observed that "the 2004 election took its toll on our bipartisan coalition" and that as a result "a number of significant problems will receive far less attention than they deserve." She highlighted among these, the lack of high-paying jobs or necessary infrastructure, rapid growth, and inward migration that threatened the environment and "strain[ed] ... education, health care, and transportation", and unresolved problems such as Students First; Arnold v. Sarn; repayments due under Ladewig v. Arizona; the No Child Left Behind mandate; low educational achievement; health care costs; and the demands of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. She said that Arizona was not alone in facing such challenges.[10]

Expanding health care access was an issue pursued by Giffords when she served in the legislature. She also pushed for bills related to mental health and was named by the Mental Health Association of Arizona as the 2004 Legislator of the Year. Giffords earned the Sierra Club's Most Valuable Player award.[11]

In the legislature, Giffords worked on the bipartisan Children's Caucus, which sought to improve education and health care for Arizona's children. Critics of this plan argued that it amounted to taxpayer-funded daycare. She worked with Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to promote all-day kindergarten. Giffords supported raising more money for schools "through sponsorship of supplemental state aid through bonds and tax credits that could be used for school supplies." She was awarded Arizona Family Literacy's Outstanding Legislator for 2003.[12]

U.S. House of Representatives

Giffords in 2008

Elections

2006
See also: 2006 Arizona's 8th congressional district election

Giffords launched her first candidacy for the U.S. Congress on January 24, 2006. The campaign received national attention early on as a likely pick-up for the Democratic Party. Prominent Democrats, including Tom Daschle, Robert Reich, Janet Napolitano, and Bill Clinton, endorsed her. EMILY's List endorsed Giffords early in the campaign cycle.[13] The Sierra Club and the Arizona Education Association also endorsed her.[14] On September 12, 2006, Giffords won her party's nomination in the primary election.

Her Republican opponent in the general election was Randy Graf, a conservative former state senator known for his enforcement-only position on immigration and illegal aliens. Graf had run against Jim Kolbe in the 2004 GOP primary and had announced his candidacy in 2006 before Kolbe announced his retirement. The Republican establishment was somewhat cool toward Graf, believing he might be too conservative for the district. The national GOP took the unusual step of endorsing one of the more moderate candidates in the primary. Graf won anyway, helped by a split in the Republican moderate vote between two candidates.

Not long after the primary, Congressional Quarterly changed its rating of the race to "Leans Democrat". By late September, the national GOP had pulled most of its funding, effectively conceding the seat to Giffords. Giffords won the race on November 7, 2006, with 54 percent of the vote. Graf received 42 percent. The rest of the vote went to minor candidates. Giffords's victory was portrayed as evidence that Americans are accepting towards comprehensive immigration reform.[15] She was the first Jewish woman elected to Congress from Arizona.[16][17]

2008
See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 8

In 2008, Giffords was elected to a second term. Republican Tim Bee, a childhood classmate and former colleague in the Arizona State Senate, ran against her. Bee was the President of the Arizona State Senate and considered a strong challenger in this race. Despite native son John McCain's running as the Republican presidential candidate, Giffords was reelected with 56.20 percent of the vote to Bee's 41.45 percent.[18]

2010
Giffords during a press conference following her 2010 election victory
See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 8

On November 5, 2010, Giffords was declared the victor after a close race against Republican Jesse Kelly.[19] Kelly, an Iraq War veteran (and not related to Mark Kelly), was listed as a top-ten Tea Party candidate to watch by Politico, and described by The Arizona Republic as highly conservative even compared to Sarah Palin.[20] Giffords had been targeted for defeat by Sarah Palin's political action committee, SarahPAC.[21]

Giffords participated in the reading of the United States Constitution on the floor of the House of Representatives on January 6, 2011; she read the First Amendment.[22][23]

Tenure

Giffords in 2008

Following the November 2006 election, Giffords was sworn in as a congresswoman on January 3, 2007. She was the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to serve in the U.S. Congress. In her inaugural speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Giffords advocated a comprehensive immigration reform package, including modern technology to secure the border, more border patrol agents, tough employer sanctions for businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, and a guest-worker program.[24] In her first month in office, Giffords voted in favor of increased federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research;[25] raising the minimum wage;[26] endorsing the 9/11 Commission recommendations;[26] new rules for the House of Representatives targeting ethical issues;[27] and the repeal of $14 billion of subsidies to big oil companies, in favor of renewable energy subsidies and the founding of the Strategic Renewable Energy Reserve.[26]

During the 2007 session of Congress, Giffords introduced a bill (H.R. 1441)[28] that forbids the sale of F-14 aircraft parts on the open market to prevent them from being acquired by Iran.[29] Giffords advocated for a national day of recognition for cowboys as one of her first actions.[30] She voted for the contentious May 2007 Iraq Emergency Supplemental Spending bill, saying, "I cannot, in good conscience, allow the military to run out of money while American servicemen and women are being attacked every day".[31] She has also been a Girl Scout supporter for many years. On April 21, 2007, Giffords hosted her third "Congress on Your Corner" in Tucson, Arizona, and kicked things off by speaking to the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Sahuaro Council.

Giffords was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition. She was a co-founder of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus. Until her husband's retirement, she was the only member of the U.S. Congress whose spouse was an active duty member of the U.S. military. She is also known as a strong proponent of solar energy as well as for her work to secure the Mexico–United States border.[32][33]

Committee assignments

Attempted assassination

Main article: 2011 Tucson shooting
Roadside sign at the scene of the shooting

On January 8, 2011, Giffords was shot in the head[34] outside a Safeway grocery store in Casas Adobes, Arizona, a suburban area northwest of Tucson, during her first "Congress on Your Corner" (a public opportunity for constituents to speak directly with their representatives)[35] gathering of the year.[36] A man ran up to the crowd and began firing a 9mm pistol with a 33-round magazine.[37][38] The gunman hit 19 individuals with gunfire, killing six of them.[39] Among the dead were federal judge John Roll and 9-year-old child Christina-Taylor Green. Green was the granddaughter of MLB baseball manager and GM Dallas Green.[40][41][42] A 20th person was injured at the scene, but not by gunfire.[34][39]

The shooter, Jared Lee Loughner,[43] was detained by bystanders until he was taken into police custody.[44][45] Federal officials charged Loughner on the next day with killing federal government employees, attempting to assassinate a member of Congress, and attempting to kill federal employees.[46][47][48] After eventually facing more than 50 federal criminal charges, Loughner pleaded guilty to 19 of them in a plea bargain to avoid a death sentence.[49]

Giffords's intern, Daniel Hernández Jr., provided first-aid assistance to her immediately after she was wounded, and is credited with saving her life.[50] She was quickly evacuated to the University Medical Center of Tucson in critical condition,[51] though she was still conscious and "following commands".[34]

On the same day doctors performed emergency surgery to extract skull fragments and a small amount of necrotic tissue from her brain.[52] The bullet passed through Giffords's head without crossing the midline of the brain, where the most critical injuries typically result.[34] Part of her skull was removed to avoid further damage to the brain from pressure caused by swelling.[53] Doctors who first treated Giffords said the bullet entered the back of her head and exited through the front of her skull, but physicians later concluded that it had traveled in the opposite direction.[54]

Upon receiving a call from a staffer about Giffords's injury, her husband Mark Kelly and his daughters flew in a friend's aircraft directly from Houston to Tucson.[55][56]

Recovery

Giffords was initially placed in an induced coma to allow her brain to rest. She was able to respond to simple commands when periodically awakened, but was unable to speak as she was on a ventilator.[57] Nancy Pelosi said Giffords's husband Mark Kelly acknowledged that there is a "rough road ahead" for his wife's recovery, but was encouraged by her responsiveness,[58] which included the ability to signal with her hand and move both arms.[59] U.S. Army neurologist Geoffrey Ling of the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland, was sent to Tucson to consult on Giffords's condition. Ling stated, "Her prognosis for maintaining the function that she has is very good. It's over 50 percent."[60] On January 11, neurosurgeon G. Michael Lemole Jr. said that Giffords's sedation had been reduced and that she could breathe on her own.[61] On January 12, President Barack Obama visited Giffords at the medical center and publicly stated in an evening memorial ceremony that she had "opened her eyes for the first time" that day.[62] Shortly after the shootings, some questions were raised by the media as to whether Giffords could be removed from office under a state law that allows a public office to be declared vacant if the officeholder is absent for three months, but a spokesperson for the Arizona secretary of state said the statute "doesn't apply to federal offices" and was, therefore, not relevant.[63]

As Giffords's status improved, by mid-January she began simple physical therapy,[64] including sitting up with the assistance of hospital staff and moving her legs upon command.[64][56] On January 15, surgeons performed a tracheotomy, replacing the ventilator tube with a smaller one inserted through Giffords's throat to assist independent breathing.[65][66] Ophthalmologist Lynn Polonski surgically repaired Giffords's damaged eye socket,[67] with additional reconstructive surgery to follow.[68] Giffords's condition improved from "critical" to "serious" on January 17,[69] and to "good" on January 25.[70] She was transferred on January 21 to the Memorial Hermann Medical Center in Houston, Texas, where she subsequently moved to the TIRR Memorial Hermann to undergo a program of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.[70][71] Medical experts' initial assessment in January was that Giffords's recovery could take from several months to more than one year.[72] Upon her arrival in Houston, her doctors were optimistic, saying she has "great rehabilitation potential".[73]

On March 12, 2011, Giffords's husband informed her that six other people had been killed in the attack on her, but he did not identify who they were until months later.[74] In late April, Giffords's doctors reported that her physical, cognitive, and language production abilities had improved significantly, placing her in the top 5 percent of patients recovering from similar injuries.[75] She was walking under supervision with perfect control of her left arm and leg, and able to write with her left hand. She was able to read and understand, and spoke in short phrases. With longer efforts, she was able to produce more complex sentences.[75]

From early in her recovery, Giffords's husband had expressed confidence that she would be able to travel to the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to witness the launch of his final Space Shuttle mission, STS-134, which was scheduled for April 2011.[76] On April 25, Giffords's doctors cleared her for travel to Florida for the launch, scheduled for April 29. She went to Florida to watch from a private family area with no public appearance or photography. The launch of STS-134 was delayed due to mechanical problems, and Giffords and Kelly returned to Houston after meeting with President Obama, who had also planned to see the launch with his family at Kennedy Space Center (KSC).[77][78]

After continuing her rehabilitation therapy in Houston,[79][80] Giffords returned to KSC for her husband's launch on May 16, 2011. Kelly wore his wife's wedding ring into space, which she had exchanged for his.[81]

August 1, 2011: Giffords's first appearance in the House of Representatives since her attempted assassination

Giffords underwent cranioplasty surgery on May 18, 2011, to replace the part of her skull that had been removed in January to permit her brain to swell after the gunshot to her head. Surgeons replaced the bone with a piece of molded hard plastic, fixed with tiny screws. They expected that her skull would eventually fuse with the porous plastic. From that point, Giffords no longer needed to wear the helmet that she had been wearing to protect her brain from further injury.[82][83] On June 9, 2011, her aide Pia Carusone announced that while Giffords's comprehension appeared to be "close to normal, if not normal", she was not yet using complete sentences.[84] On June 12, two photos of Giffords taken on May 17 were released, the first since the shooting.[85] On June 15, Giffords was released from the hospital to return home, where she continued speech, music, physical and occupational therapy.[86] Having learned the French horn as a child, she picked it up again as part of her music therapy and in August 2020 spoke about that experience in a speech endorsing Joe Biden's presidential bid.[87]

On August 1, 2011, she made her return to the House floor to vote in favor of raising the debt limit ceiling. She was met with a standing ovation and accolades from her fellow members of Congress.[88] A Giffords spokesman, Mark Kimble, stated in August 2011 that the congresswoman was walking without a cane and was writing left-handed, as she did not have full use of her right side.[89] On October 6, Giffords traveled to Washington for her husband's retirement ceremony, where she presented him with the Distinguished Flying Cross medal. She returned to her husband's Texas home.[90] On October 25, 2011, she travelled to Asheville, North Carolina, for intensive rehabilitation treatments, ending November 4.[91] In Kelly's memoir, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, released in November 2011, he reported that Giffords would return to Congress. As of 2016, she continued to struggle with language and had lost fifty percent of her vision in both eyes.[74]

Resignation from Congress

Giffords embracing President Obama at the 2012 State of the Union Address

On January 22, 2012, Giffords announced in a video statement that she intended to resign her seat so that she could focus on her recovery.[92] She attended President Obama's 2012 State of the Union Address on January 24, and formally submitted her resignation on January 25. Appearing on the floor of the House, after the last bill she sponsored was brought to a vote and unanimously passed, Giffords was lauded by members of Congress and the majority and minority leaders who spoke in tribute to her strength and accomplishment in an unusual farewell ceremony. Her letter of resignation was read on her behalf by her close friend and fellow Democratic representative, Debbie Wasserman Schultz.[93][94]

Post-congressional activities

Giffords being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden in July 2022

A joint memoir by Giffords and her husband, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, with co-author Jeffrey Zaslow, was published on November 15, 2011.[95] Giffords and Kelly were interviewed by ABC's Diane Sawyer in their first joint interview since the shooting, which aired on a special edition of 20/20 on November 14, 2011, in conjunction with the book's publication.[96]

Giffords has made appearances at the four Democratic National Conventions held since she left congress. On September 6, 2012, Giffords led the Pledge of Allegiance at that evening's meeting of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[97] At the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Giffords delivered a speech in support of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.[98] For the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Giffords delivered a speech supporting presidential nominee Joe Biden and urging action on gun control.[99] At the 2024 Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, Illinois, she again spoke for gun safety and reform.

After her shooting, Giffords became an advocate for anti-gun-violence causes. In 2013, shortly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Giffords and her husband founded the nonprofit and super PAC Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS) to support pro-gun control candidates.[100] In 2017 the organization was reorganized, becoming Giffords.[101]

In January 2013, Giffords still had difficulty speaking and walking, and her right arm was paralyzed. She continued to undergo speech and physical therapy.[102]

On January 8, 2014, Giffords marked the third anniversary of the shooting by going skydiving. Giffords said on an interview with the Today show, "Oh, wonderful sky. Gorgeous mountain. Blue skies. I like a lot. A lot of fun. Peaceful, so peaceful."[103][104] As of 2022, Giffords founded a group called Friends of Aphasia, as a support group for others suffering from loss of language.[105]

The White House awarded Giffords the Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 7, 2022.[106] She was the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Rose Parade and presided over the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game.[107]

Personal life

Giffords with husband Mark Kelly in 2016

Giffords married U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut Mark Kelly on November 10, 2007. Kelly was the Space Shuttle's pilot on the STS-108 and STS-121 missions, was the commander of STS-124 and STS-134,[108] and became a U.S. Senator for Arizona in 2020.

Giffords is a former member of the Arizona regional board of the Anti-Defamation League.[109] After Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, Giffords spent time as a volunteer in Houston, Texas, in relief efforts for hurricane victims. She wrote about her experience in the Tucson Citizen.[110]

Prior to her injury, Giffords was an avid reader, and was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition on July 9, 2006, talking about her love of books.[111] She was periodically interviewed in 2007 together with Illinois Republican Peter Roskam on NPR's All Things Considered.[112] The series focused on their experiences as freshman members of the 110th Congress.[113]

Political positions

Economy

Giffords voted against President Bush's Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.[30] Giffords was one of 60 lawmakers who voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 during its first House vote before switching to a yes vote in its second House vote,[114] and she voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[115]

In August 2011, she voted in favor of raising the debt ceiling.[88]

Education

Giffords argues that Americans are competing on a global level and that this competition starts in the classroom. She is a critic of the No Child Left Behind law, viewing it as an unfunded federal mandate. She supports public schools and their improved efficiency.[116]

Energy

Giffords strongly supports renewable energy, in particular solar energy, as a top public policy priority.[117]

In September 2007, she published a report titled: The Community Solar Energy Initiative, Solar Energy in Southern Arizona, observing that Arizona has enough sunshine to power the entire United States. It reviews current energy usage and discusses how to increase the production of solar electricity.[118] On August 1, 2008, she wrote to congressional leaders regarding tax credits that were set to expire, saying that failure to extend the scheme would be extremely harmful to the renewable energy industry "just as it is beginning to take off".[119]

Immigration and border security

Representative Giffords speaking with a military officer in July 2010

During Giffords's tenure in the House, Arizona's 8th congressional district was one of ten in the country bordering Mexico. Giffords has stated that the Arizona SB 1070 legislation is a "clear calling that the federal government needs to do a better job"[120] and says that she hopes the legislation acts as a wake-up call to the federal government. However, she stopped short of supporting the law itself, saying that it "does nothing to secure our border" and that it "stands in direct contradiction to our past and, as a result, threatens our future". She also claimed that SB1070 kept Arizona from attracting students and businesses.[121]

On August 31, 2010, Giffords praised the arrival of National Guard troops on the border: "Arizonans have waited a long time for the deployment of the National Guard in our state. Their arrival represents a renewed national commitment to protecting our border communities from drug cartels and smugglers."[122]

Giffords worked to secure passage of the August 2010 bill to fund more Border Patrol agents and surveillance technology for Arizona's border with Mexico. The legislation passed the House of Representatives only to be sent back by the U.S. Senate with reduced funding. Ultimately a $600-million bill was passed and signed into law. The bill was over $100 million less than Giffords fought for, but she said, "This funding signals a stronger federal commitment to protect those Americans who live and work near the border."[123]

In 2008, Giffords introduced legislation that would have increased the cap on the H-1B visa from 65,000 per year to 130,000 per year.[124] If that were not sufficient, according to her legislation, the cap would have been increased to 180,000 per year.[citation needed] The bill would have allowed, at most, 50% of employees at any given company with at least 50 employees to be H-1B guest workers.[125] Giffords said the bill would help high-tech companies in southern Arizona, some of which rely on H-1B employees.[125] However, Giffords's bill was never voted on by the House of Representatives.

Gun control

In 2008, before being shot, Giffords opposed prohibitions in Washington, D.C., on the possession of handguns in the home and having usable firearms there, signing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller to support its overturn.[126]

In January 2013, Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly started a political action committee called Americans for Responsible Solutions whose mission was to promote gun-control legislation with elected officials and the general public. The couple supports "keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people like criminals, terrorists, and the mentally ill".[127] In 2016, the Legal Community Against Violence merged with Americans for Responsible Solutions and the organization changed its name to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in 2017.[128]

Other proposals from Giffords and Kelly include limiting the sale of certain magazines, limiting the sale of assault weapons, and stopping gun trafficking.[citation needed]

Giffords was a surprise witness at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence on January 30, 2013.[129] In a halting voice, she called for Congress to pass tougher laws on guns, saying "too many children are dying." Giffords is right-handed; her speech therapist had to write out her statement for her since her right arm was paralyzed in the shooting.[102]

In 2017, after the Las Vegas shooting that killed 58 and injured 546, she implored lawmakers to take action, saying she "knows the horror of gun violence all too well".[130][131][132][133]

Giffords spoke on the third night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, urging action on gun control. She worked with a speech therapist for months in preparation for the speech, and also performed "America" on the French horn, an instrument she had played as a teen, as a symbol of her recovery.[99]

In 2022, she founded the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention to promote "evidence-based, community-driven strategies to reduce gun violence" and assist communities in community violence intervention efforts.[134]

In 2023, Giffords at the end of an interview said "No more guns," and plans to achieve that by "Legislation, legislation, legislation."[135]

Giffords endorsed Kamala Harris in 2016 and 2024, saying at an event on July 25, 2024, that the upcoming election was a "choice between Harris, who would sign a ban on assault weapons, and more gun violence under Donald Trump, who gun-rights groups back."[136][137]

Naming honors

Main article: USS Gabrielle Giffords

It was announced by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, on February 10, 2012, that the next U.S. Navy littoral combat ship would be named USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10). Giffords, still recovering from injuries sustained in the 2011 assassination attempt, attended the ship's keel-laying ceremony and etched her initials into a plate welded into the ship.[138]

USS Gabrielle Giffords was christened at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, on June 13, 2015.[139][140] Giffords attended the christening ceremony, along with Second Lady of the United States Jill Biden, who served as the ship's sponsor.[139][140] The ship was commissioned on June 12, 2017, at Port of Galveston, Texas.[141]

Some commentators have noted that several ships in the U.S. Navy, including Henry M. Jackson, Carl Vinson, John C. Stennis, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush were named for prominent politicians who were still alive at the time of the naming.[142][143] A subsequent Navy report on the naming noted that Secretary Mabus considered honoring Giffords and other victims of the Tucson shooting by naming LCS-10 after the city of Tucson, consistent with the practice of naming littoral combat ships for U.S. cities, but this was not possible because USS Tucson, an active Los Angeles-class submarine, already bears the name.[144]

Electoral history

Arizona's 8th Congressional District House Election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gabrielle Giffords 137,655 54.26%
Republican Randy Graf 106,790 42.09%
Libertarian David F. Nolan 4,849 1.91%
Independent Jay Quick 4,408 1.74%
Arizona's 8th Congressional District House Election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gabrielle Giffords (incumbent) 179,629 54.72% +0.46%
Republican Tim Bee 140,553 42.82% +0.73%
Libertarian Paul Davis 8,081 2.46% +0.55%
Arizona's 8th Congressional District House Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gabrielle Giffords (incumbent) 138,280 48.76% −5.96%
Republican Jesse Kelly 134,124 47.30% +4.48%
Libertarian Steven Stoltz 11,174 3.94% +1.48%

See also

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ Stolbert, Sheryl Gay; Yardley, William (January 15, 2011). "For Giffords, Tucson Roots Shaped Views". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 21, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  3. ^ "Congresswoman Gifford's Hollywood Connection to Paltrows". January 9, 2011. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2013. Gabrielle Giffords' [paternal] grandmother and Gwyneth Paltrow's late [paternal] grandfather were brother and sister.
  4. ^ a b "Biography". Archived from the original on January 6, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  5. ^ ""Many prayers are interceding for your recovery" | Scripps College Alumna Gabrielle Giffords". Community.scrippscollege.edu. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  6. ^ "Giffords campaign website". Archived from the original on April 21, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  7. ^ Ya'ar, Chana (January 8, 2011). "Jewish US Lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords Shot, Prognosis Optimistic". Arutz Sheva Israel National News. Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  8. ^ Kampeas, Ron (January 8, 2011). "Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in the head". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles (JTA). Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  9. ^ Christie, Bob (January 8, 2011). "PROFILE: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords: Dem who wins in conservative district". The Record. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  10. ^ "Right-Wing Agenda Will Obscure our Most-Pressing Issues". Tucson Citizen (republished on candidate's web site). January 10, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2006.
  11. ^ "Flunkies – The Sierra Club grades the Arizona Legislature". Candidate's web site. June 12, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2006.
  12. ^ "Track Record". Candidate's web site. June 12, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2006.
  13. ^ "EMILY's List Announces Endorsement of Gabrielle Giffords for Arizona's 8th Congressional District". Emily's List. June 14, 2006. Archived from the original on November 8, 2006. Retrieved November 9, 2006.
  14. ^ Sunnucks, Mike (June 13, 2006). "Democratic contender gets support in House race". Phoenix Business Journal. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2006.
  15. ^ "Voters reject immigrant-bashing among candidates". San Jose Mercury News. November 12, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2006.[dead link]
  16. ^ Gelbart, Debra Morton (November 30, 1999). "Jewish woman takes Arizona seat". JTA.org. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  17. ^ Hulse, Carl; Zernike, Kate (January 8, 2011). "Bloodshed Puts New Focus on Vitriol in Politics". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2011. Ms. Giffords is the first Jewish woman elected to the House from her state.
  18. ^ "Election Summary Report". Pima County, Arizona. November 10, 2010. Archived from the original on April 19, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  19. ^ "Gabrielle Giffords wins re-election in Arizona". AZCentral.com. November 5, 2010. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  20. ^ "Top 10 "Tea Party' Candidates to Watch". AZCentral.com. September 21, 2010. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  21. ^ Rowley, James (January 10, 2011). "Giffords Is Centrist Who Defies Political Labels". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  22. ^ House Session, Jan 6, 2011. C-SPAN. January 6, 2011. Event occurs at 1:55:48 – 1:56:10. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  23. ^ "WATCH: Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Read 1st Amendment On Floor". Arizona's Politics. January 6, 2011. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  24. ^ "REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS CALLS FOR SECURE BORDERS, IMMIGRATION REFORM IN FIRST FLOOR SPEECH; WRAPS UP FIRST FULL WEEK AS A MEMBER OF THE 110th CONGRESS". United States House of Representatives. January 12, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  25. ^ "REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS VOTES TO EXPAND FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LIFE-SAVING STEM CELL RESEARCH". United States House of Representatives. January 11, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  26. ^ a b c "REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS WRAPS UP THE "100 HOURS AGENDA" WITH VOTES TO MAKE U.S. ENERGY INDEPENDENT AND COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE". United States House of Representatives. January 18, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  27. ^ "FIRST VOTE OF 110th CONGRESS – REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS VOTES TO REFORM ETHICAL STANDARDS IN WASHINGTON". United States House of Representatives. January 4, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ THOMAS Search Results: H.R.1441. Archived January 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Library of Congress. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  29. ^ House Votes Again To Ban Sales Of F-14 Parts To Iran. Archived September 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Aero-News Network, June 13, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  30. ^ a b "Profile: Gabrielle Giffords". BBC News. January 9, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  31. ^ Stanton, Billie. Stanton: Democrats damned by Iraq war vote. Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Tucson Citizen June 5, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  32. ^ "Senate rejects border funding; U.S. Rep Giffords is outraged". KGUN9 Tucson. July 26, 2010. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  33. ^ "Solar energy, immigration top congresswoman's priorities". San Pedro Valley News-Sun. December 30, 2008. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  34. ^ a b c d Denise Grady; Jennifer Medina (January 14, 2011). "From Bloody Scene to E.R., Life-Saving Choices in Tucson". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  35. ^ "Congress on Your Corner". Congressman Brian Higgins. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015.
  36. ^ "U.S. prosecutors charge gunman accused of assassination attempt on Arizona Rep. Giffords, killing 6". The Star-Ledger. Associated Press. January 9, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  37. ^ Barrett, Paul M. (January 13, 2011). "Glock: America's Gun". Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on August 21, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  38. ^ "Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot in Arizona". NPR. January 8, 2011. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  39. ^ a b Bell, Melissa; Buck, James (January 14, 2011). "Updated: List of injured victims in Arizona shooting released by Pima County sheriff". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  40. ^ Bookman, Jay (January 8, 2011). "Federal judge wounded in AZ; congresswoman shot". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  41. ^ "Family of Ariz. shooting victim at White House Tuesday". USA Today.
  42. ^ "Arizona Congresswoman Giffords shot in Tucson". The Arizona Republic. January 8, 2011. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  43. ^ "Profile of Jared Loughner: 'I can't trust the current government'". NBC News. January 8, 2011. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  44. ^ Rampton, Roberta (January 8, 2011). "Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in Arizona". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  45. ^ "US congresswoman in critical condition after shooting". NBC News. January 8, 2011. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  46. ^ Alexander Burns & Matt Negrin (January 9, 2011). "Federal charges could carry death penalty". Politico. Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  47. ^ "Suspect charged in congresswoman's attack". NBC News. Associated Press. January 9, 2011. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  48. ^ Tim Gaynor and Peter Henderson (January 9, 2011). "Suspect charged with attempted assassination of Giffords". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  49. ^ Lah, Michael Martinez and Kyung (August 7, 2012). "Loughner pleads guilty to 19 counts in Tucson, Arizona, mass shooting - CNN.com". CNN. Archived from the original on July 26, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  50. ^ Williams, Mary Elizabeth (January 10, 2011). "The Giffords shooting's gay, Hispanic hero". Salon. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  51. ^ "Arizona congresswoman among 12 shot at Tucson grocery". CNN. January 8, 2011. Archived from the original on January 9, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  52. ^ Stein, Rob; Vedantam, Shankar (January 9, 2011). "Doctors see signs of hope for Giffords's recovery". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 21, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  53. ^ Gupta, Sanjay (January 10, 2011). "Gupta: What helped Giffords survive brain shot". CNN. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  54. ^ Alltucker, Ken (January 12, 2011). "Obama visits Giffords at hospital, leaves for speech on campus". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  55. ^ O'Connor, Anahad (January 19, 2011). "Giffords's Husband Heard His Wife Had Died in Tucson". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  56. ^ a b "Doctor: Giffords may be showing 'glimmers of recognition'". CNN. January 13, 2011. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  57. ^ Carollo, Kim (January 9, 2011). "Gabrielle Giffords in Medically Induced Coma to Help Brain Rest". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  58. ^ Allen, Jonathan (January 9, 2011). "Aide: Gabrielle Giffords is 'sort of alert'". Politico. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  59. ^ "Doctor: Giffords has '101 percent chance' of surviving". NBC News. January 11, 2011. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  60. ^ Brown, David (January 11, 2011). "Bullet path may decide Giffords's fate". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  61. ^ Branigin, William (January 11, 2011). "Doctors: Gabrielle Giffords able to breathe on her own". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  62. ^ "Obama: Rep. Giffords "Opened Her Eyes" Today". CBS News. Associated Press. January 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  63. ^ Fischer, Howard (January 17, 2011). "Replacing Giffords called speculation". Yuma Sun. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  64. ^ a b Money, Luke (January 14, 2011). "Giffords can move legs, begins physical therapy". Arizona Daily Wildcat. Archived from the original on January 17, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  65. ^ Maugh, Thomas H. II (January 16, 2011). "Rep. Gabrielle Giffords taken off ventilator". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  66. ^ Poole, Brad (January 15, 2011). "Doctors open breathing hole in Giffords's throat". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 17, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  67. ^ Leinwand, Donna (January 17, 2011). "Husband: Giffords smiles, rubs his neck". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  68. ^ "Giffords undergoes successful operation to repair eye socket". CNN. January 17, 2011. Archived from the original on January 17, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  69. ^ "Kelly: Injured Giffords cares for others". United Press International. January 17, 2011. Archived from the original on January 18, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  70. ^ a b Cohen, Elizabeth (January 26, 2011). "Giffords moves to rehabilitation hospital". CNN. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  71. ^ Martinez, Michael (January 21, 2011). "Giffords arrives in Houston". CNN. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  72. ^ Landau, Elizabeth (January 11, 2011). "Giffords in key period after brain injury". CNN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  73. ^ "Doctor: Giffords has 'great rehabilitation potential'". Arizona Daily Star. January 21, 2011. Archived from the original on January 24, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  74. ^ a b Myers, Amanda Lee and Michelle Price. "AP Exclusive: Giffords vows return to Congress" Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, yahoo.com, Associated Press, November 4, 2011
  75. ^ a b Rose, Jaimee (April 24, 2011). "Gabrielle Giffords' doctors, husband share details on her progress". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  76. ^ "Spokesman: Giffords recovering part of her ability to speak". CNN. February 9, 2011. Archived from the original on February 11, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  77. ^ "Spokesman says Rep. Giffords plans to return to Florida to watch husband's shuttle launch". The Washington Post. Associated Press. May 2, 2011. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  78. ^ "Astronauts in Fla. for next-to-last space shuttle flight, Endeavour patched, in 'great' shape". The Washington Post. Associated Press. May 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 11, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  79. ^ "Doctors OK Rep. Gifford's trip to husband's shuttle launch". The Indianapolis Star. Associated Press. April 25, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  80. ^ "Doctors say Giffords can attend husband's shuttle launch". Reuters. April 25, 2011. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  81. ^ Shauk, Zain (May 16, 2011). "500,000 gather to see launch of Endeavour". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  82. ^ "Successful surgery to repair skull" Archived December 7, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. The Washington Post, May 20, 2011.
  83. ^ Hensel, Deborah Quinn (May 18, 2011). "Giffords recovering from cranioplasty in Houston". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
  84. ^ Montini, E. J. (June 9, 2011). "Gabrielle Giffords' staffer talks about congresswoman's health". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  85. ^ Plushnick-Masti, Ramit; Amanda Lee Myers (June 12, 2011). "First post-shooting photos of Giffords released". The Ledger. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  86. ^ Cappon, Colleen; Doyle, Jessica Ryen (July 8, 2011). "Doctor: Gabrielle Giffords Could Return to Congress". Fox News Channel. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  87. ^ Brantley, Max (August 19, 2020). "Play it again, Gabby". Arkansas Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020.
  88. ^ a b "Giffords returns to House for debt vote". CNN. August 1, 2011. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  89. ^ "Gabrielle Giffords Walking, Writing, Aide Says" Archived January 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Huffington Post, August 30, 2011
  90. ^ Memoli, Michael A. "Gabrielle Giffords praised as 'inspiration' in White House visit" . Los Angeles Times, October 6, 2011
  91. ^ "Gabrielle Giffords to undergo 'intensive' therapy in North Carolina" Archived November 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. CNN, October 23, 2011
  92. ^ "Gabrielle Giffords to resign from US Congress", CBC, January 22, 2012
  93. ^ Mascaro, Lisa (January 26, 2012). "Rep. Gabrielle Giffords sees her last bill pass, says farewell". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  94. ^ "Giffords resigns House seat to focus on recovery from gunshot wound to head". The Toledo Blade. Associated Press. January 25, 2012. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  95. ^ Rose, Jaimee (November 15, 2011). "Giffords, Kelly detail recovery 10 months after shooting". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 19, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  96. ^ Morabito, Andrea (September 12, 2011). "Diane Sawyer Gets First Sit-Down With Gabby Giffords". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  97. ^ "Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords to deliver Pledge of Allegiance at Democratic convention". The Washington Post.[dead link]
  98. ^ "WATCH: Gabby Giffords' powerful entrance to DNC follows with strong message". ABC7 Chicago. July 28, 2016. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  99. ^ a b Merica, Dan; Sullivan, Kate (August 20, 2020). "Gabby Giffords relates personal recovery to American resilience in powerful speech at DNC". CNN. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  100. ^ "Gabby Giffords' Gun Control Group Hopes to Go Head-to-Head With NRA in 2014". news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  101. ^ "'Cause of my life' - Giffords rebrands gun-control group with her name". Tucson Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  102. ^ a b Benac, Nancy (January 30, 2013). "With halting voice, Giffords speaks out on guns". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  103. ^ Murray, Matt (January 9, 2014). "'One of the strongest women ever': What #GoGabby means to you". TODAY. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  104. ^ Nicks, Denver (January 9, 2014). "Watch: Gabby Giffords Skydives to Celebrate Life". Time. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014.
  105. ^ Narula, Dr Tara (November 18, 2022). "Gabby Giffords still struggles to find words, but she hasn't lost her voice". CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  106. ^ "President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom". whitehouse.gov. White House. July 1, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  107. ^ Toohey, Grace (October 13, 2022). "Former Rep. Gabby Giffords to serve as 2023 Rose Parade grand marshal". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  108. ^ Faherty, John (June 1, 2008). "Congresswoman's husband now in orbit". Azcentral.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  109. ^ "ADL Condemns Attack on U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords; Calls for Thorough Investigation into Motives of Shooter". Archived from the original on January 10, 2011.
  110. ^ "Giffords campaign website". Archived from the original on April 22, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  111. ^ "Books to Make the Most of Her Personal Space". NPR. July 9, 2006. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  112. ^ "Perspectives on the Change in Power". NPR. January 4, 2007. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  113. ^ "Freshmen Members Stake Out Roles in House". National Public Radio (NPR). January 4, 2007. Archived from the original on April 23, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2011.;
    "New Congress Members Join House Debate on Iraq". NPR. February 15, 2007. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2011.;
    "Freshmen Lawmakers Take District Temperatures". NPR. April 9, 2007. Archived from the original on February 3, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.;
    "Bipartisan Immigration Bill Faces Bipartisan Critics". NPR. May 22, 2007. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.;
    "Freshmen Lawmakers Weigh in on Iraq after Visits". NPR. August 3, 2007. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.;
    "First Re-Election Bids Require Balancing Act". NPR. October 24, 2007. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  114. ^ "Vote switchers on financial bailout". USA Today. October 3, 2008. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  115. ^ "Stimulus bill deserved my vote | Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords". Giffords.house.gov. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  116. ^ "Gabrielle Giffords – Education". The Political Guide. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  117. ^ "The Science Coalition". Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  118. ^ Giffords, Gabrielle (September 2007). "Solar Energy in Southern Arizona: Executive Summary" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2011.
  119. ^ Schuster, John. "Power Play | Currents Feature". Tucson Weekly. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  120. ^ "Democrats call for elimination of Arizona's new immigration law". CNN. April 28, 2010. Archived from the original on April 29, 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  121. ^ "Giffords statement on Arizona's new immigration law and the us border". April 30, 2010. Archived from the original on August 4, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  122. ^ "U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' Statement On Arrival Of National Guard Troops on the Arizona–Mexico Border". August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  123. ^ "U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Welcomes President's Signing Of Border Security Bill". August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  124. ^ "Bill Text – 110th Congress (2007–2008) – THOMAS (Library of Congress)". Thomas.gov. March 13, 2008. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  125. ^ a b Gross, Grant (March 14, 2008). "Bill Would Double Cap on H-1B Visas". PC World. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  126. ^ "Brief for respondent District of Columbia v. Heller 07-290" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  127. ^ "Criminal Background Checks". Americans for Responsible Solutions. April 3, 2013. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  128. ^ Dumain, Emma (June 3, 2019). "SC taxpayers pay for gun violence: Overall annual cost in state is $1.5B, study says". The Greenville News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  129. ^ "Giffords, NRA battle over gun control". Anchorage Daily News. January 30, 2013. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  130. ^ "Gabby Giffords: I know this 'horror too well'". NBC News. October 2, 2017. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  131. ^ Anapol, Avery (October 2, 2017). "Giffords: Las Vegas shooting is a 'grave tragedy for our nation'". TheHill. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  132. ^ "'Find the Courage:' Gabby Giffords Begs Congress to Act After Las Vegas Shooting". Fortune. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  133. ^ Hansen, Ronald J. "Las Vegas shooting: Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly push more gun control". azcentral.
  134. ^ "Giffords Launches Giffords Center for Violence Intervention" (Press release). Giffords.org. October 5, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  135. ^ Elliott, Philip (April 26, 2023). "'No More Guns. Gone': Why Gabby Giffords Isn't Giving Up". TIME. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  136. ^ Levy, Marc (July 25, 2024). "Gabrielle Giffords stumps for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania as campaign for running mate takes shape". AP News. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  137. ^ "Gabby Giffords: Kamala Harris Will Be a Great President" (Press release). Giffords.org. July 21, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  138. ^ Finch II, Michael (April 16, 2014). "Gabrielle Giffords signs initials onto future littoral combat ship bearing her name". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  139. ^ a b "Navy Christens Littoral Combat Ship Gabrielle Giffords" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. June 11, 2015. Archived from the original on June 14, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  140. ^ a b "Navy ship christened for former Arizona Rep. Giffords". The Arizona Republic. June 13, 2015. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  141. ^ "Navy Commissions USS Gabrielle Giffords". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  142. ^ Farley, Robert (February 10, 2012). "USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10)". Archived from the original on June 16, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  143. ^ Iskra, Darline (February 27, 2012). "More on Ship-Naming Controversies: About the USS Gabrielle Giffords". Time. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  144. ^ Olson, Wyatt (June 19, 2015). "From Hope to Giffords: The Navy's long history of unconventional ship names". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Gabby Giffords.
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gabrielle Giffords.
Wikinews has news related to:
Arizona House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 13th district
2001–2003 		Succeeded by
Arizona Senate
Preceded by Member of the Arizona Senate
from the 28th district
2003–2006 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 8th congressional district
2007–2012 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gabby_Giffords&oldid=1251768143"