Shot congresswoman steps down to aid healing process

Gabrielle Giffords announced last night that she intends to resign from Congress to concentrate on recovering from wounds suffered in an assassination attempt a little more than a year ago.

According to officials in Washington, her resignation, first revealed on the congresswoman’s Facebook page, is expected to take effect today.

The Democratic congresswoman was shot in the head last January as she was meeting with constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. The shooting rampage by a lone gunman left six people dead and 13 others wounded.

While her progress has seemed remarkable, she said she has more work to do to recover, and it is best for her state if she resigns her seat in the House of Representatives.

Her shooting prompted an agonising national debate about super-charged rhetoric in political campaigns.

In a two-minute video posted to her Facebook page, Ms Giffords says: “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 adds: “I’m getting better. Every day my spirit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country.”