[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 310-311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following 
resignation from the House of Representatives:

                                                 January 25, 2012.
     Hon. John Boehner,
     Speaker of the House, The Capitol,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Boehner: In 2001, strongly holding the belief 
     that there is no higher calling than serving my country, I 
     went from selling tires in my Tucson family business to being 
     a freshman representative in the Arizona State House. And for 
     10 years I served--in the Arizona legislature, in the United 
     States Congress, and, after marrying Mark, as a proud 
     military spouse. Always I fought for what I thought was 
     right. But never did I question the character of those with 
     whom I disagreed. Never did I let pass an opportunity to join 
     hands with someone just because he or she held different 
     ideals.
       In public service, I found a venue for my pursuit of a 
     stronger America--by ensuring the safety and security of all 
     Americans, by producing clean energy here at home instead of 
     importing oil from abroad, and by honoring our brave men and 
     women in uniform with the benefits they earned. I found a way 
     to care for others. And in the past year, I have found a 
     value that is unbreakable even by the most vicious of 
     attacks.
       The tragic January 8th shooting in Tucson took the lives of 
     six beautiful Americans and wounded 13 others, me included. 
     Not a day goes by that I don't feel grief for the lives lost 
     and so many others torn apart. Christina-Taylor Green, 
     Dorothy Morris, John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, 
     and Gabe Zimmerman embodied the best of America. Each in 
     their own way, they committed their lives to serving their 
     families, community and country, and they died performing a 
     basic but important act of citizenship that's at the heart of 
     our greatness as a nation. They will be remembered always by 
     their country and by their Congress.
       I don't remember much from that terrible day, but I have 
     never forgotten my constituents, my colleagues, or the 
     millions of Americans with whom I share great hopes for this 
     nation. To all of them: Thank you for your prayers, your 
     cards, your well wishes, and your support. And even as I have 
     worked to regain my speech, thank you for your faith in my 
     ability to be your voice.
       The only way I ever served my district in Congress was by 
     giving 100 percent. This past year, that's what I have given 
     to my recovery. Thank you for your patience. 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 this year to represent 
     Arizona's 8th Congressional District. 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.
       This past year my colleagues and staff have worked to make 
     sure my constituents were represented in Congress. But if I 
     can't return, my district deserves to elect a U.S. 
     Representative who can give 100 percent to the job now. For 
     that reason, I have submitted the attached letter of 
     resignation to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.
       Amid all that was lost on January 8th, there was also hope 
     and faith. This past year, it is what I have often clung to: 
     Hope that our government can represent the best of a nation, 
     not the worst. Faith that Americans working together--in 
     their communities, in our Congress--can succeed without 
     qualification. 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.
       Everyday, I am working hard. I will recover and will 
     return, and we will work together again, for Arizona and for 
     all Americans.
           Sincerely,
                                               Gabrielle Giffords,
                                               Member of Congress.

[[Page 311]]


       Enclosure.
                                                 January 25, 2012.
     Hon. Janice K. Brewer,
     Arizona Governor, Executive Tower, West Washington Street, 
         Phoenix, AZ.
       Dear Governor Brewer: In 2001, strongly holding the belief 
     that there is no higher calling than serving my country, I 
     went from selling tires in my Tucson family business to being 
     a freshman representative in the Arizona State House. And for 
     10 years I served--in the Arizona legislature, in the United 
     States Congress, and, after marrying Mark, as a proud 
     military spouse. Always I fought for what I thought was 
     right. But never did I question the character of those with 
     whom I disagreed. Never did I let pass an opportunity to join 
     hands with someone just because he or she held different 
     ideals.
       In public service, I found a venue for my pursuit of a 
     stronger America--by ensuring the safety and security of all 
     Americans, by producing clean energy here at home instead of 
     importing oil from abroad, and by honoring our brave men and 
     women in uniform with the benefits they earned. I found a way 
     to care for others. And in the past year, I have found a 
     value that is unbreakable even by the most vicious of 
     attacks.
       The tragic January 8th shooting in Tucson took the lives of 
     six beautiful Americans and wounded 13 others, me included. 
     Not a day goes by that I don't feel grief for the lives lost 
     and so many others torn apart. Christina-Taylor Green, 
     Dorothy Morris, John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, 
     and Gabe Zimmerman embodied the best of America. Each in 
     their own way, they committed their lives to serving their 
     families, community and country, and they died performing a 
     basic but important act of citizenship that's at the heart of 
     our greatness as a nation. They will be remembered always by 
     their country and by their Congress.
       I don't remember much from that terrible day, but I have 
     never forgotten my constituents, my colleagues, or the 
     millions of Americans with whom I share great hopes for this 
     nation. To all of them: Thank you for your prayers, your 
     cards, your well wishes, and your support. And even as I have 
     worked to regain my speech, thank you for your faith in my 
     ability to be your voice.
       The only way I ever served my district in Congress was by 
     giving 100 percent. This past year, that's what I have given 
     to my recovery. Thank you for your patience. 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 this year to represent 
     Arizona's 8th Congressional District. 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.
       This past year my colleagues and staff have worked to make 
     sure my constituents were represented in Congress. But if I 
     can't return, my district deserves to elect a U.S. 
     Representative who can give 100 percent to the job now. For 
     that reason, I am resigning from the U.S. House of 
     Representatives effective at the end of today.
       Amid all that was lost on January 8th, there was also hope 
     and faith. This past year, it is what I have often clung to: 
     Hope that our government can represent the best of a nation, 
     not the worst. Faith that Americans working together--in 
     their communities, in our Congress--can succeed without 
     qualification. 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.
       Everyday, I am working hard. I will recover and will 
     return, and we will work together again, for Arizona and for 
     all Americans.
           Sincerely,
                                               Gabrielle Giffords,
     Member of Congress.

                          ____________________