Lauren Stanforth, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. –
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona will step down from Congress this week, an announcement she made in a professionally-made video posted on YouTube Sunday.
“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 the video.
Giffords is still recovering from being critically shot in the head during a ramage at her town hall meeting in a supermarket parking lot near Tucson, Arizon Jan. 8, 2011. Eighteen other people were also shot allegedly by Jared Lee Loughner, who has been indicted for attempting to assasinate Giffords. Arguments are still going on in his case about if Loughner can be forcibly given anti-psychotic drugs so that he can stand trial.
“I don’t remember much from that horrible day but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers,” Giffords said in the video.