Kelly, a space shuttle veteran, will talk about his career and personal life in an address titled "Endeavor to Succeed" at 7 p.m. at the Nebraska Union auditorium at 14th & R Streets. He also will sign copies of his book, co-authored with his wife, "Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope," from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. at University Bookstore on the lower level of the Nebraska Union.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., whose unlikely recovery from a shooting last year stirred her colleagues and the nation, said Sunday that she will resign from Congress this week to concentrate on improving her health.
In a video released Sunday afternoon on her Facebook page, Giffords explained: “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 and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week.”
But Giffords hinted at a potential return to elective office. “I will return, and we will work together for Arizona and this great country,” she said.
On Jan. 9, 2011, Giffords was shot at a “Congress on Your Corner” meet-and-greet event outside a grocery store in Tucson. Six people were killed and 12 others besides Giffords were wounded.
A 23-year-old man, Jared Lee Loughner, has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges in the shooting. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is being forcibly medicated at a Missouri prison facility in an effort by authorities to make him mentally ready for trial.
Giffords' decision to step down throws the race for her seat representing Arizona's 8th Congressional District into chaos. She barely fought off her Republican challenger in 2010 but was expected to be a shoo-in for re-election had she decided to run this year. Some Democrats had even hoped that Giffords would seek the Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Republican Jon Kyl.
The remainder of Giffords' term will be filled by the winner of a special election on a date to be determined by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
Democrats, fearing the loss of the seat, had hoped that Giffords' husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, would run in her place. Friends of the couple said Sunday that they thought that was unlikely and that Kelly would be more inclined to spend his time helping his wife with her recovery.
According to her office, Giffords will attempt to “finish her Congress on Your Corner” event in the supermarket parking lot in Tucson where she was shot. It will be a private event that will include some of the people who attended last year. Giffords will also attend President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night in the House chamber.
Obama on Sunday called Giffords “the very best of what public service should be.”
“Gabby's cheerful presence will be missed in Washington,” he said. “But she will remain an inspiration to all whose lives she touched — myself included. And I'm confident that we haven't seen the last of this extraordinary American.”
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he saluted Giffords “for her service and for the courage and perseverance she has shown in the face of tragedy. She will be missed.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said that “since the tragic events one year ago, Gabby has been an inspiring symbol of determination and courage to millions of Americans.”
Giffords, 41, was shot in the left side of the brain, the part that controls speech and communication. In the months since she was shot, she has been treated in Houston as well as Arizona as she relearned how to walk and speak.
She made a dramatic appearance on the House floor Aug. 2, when she unexpectedly walked in to vote for an increase in the federal debt limit. Lawmakers from both parties cheered her presence.
This report includes material from the Associated Press.
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