Inquirer Editorial: Giffords brings out best among colleagues

A year after she was shot in the head, Gabrielle Giffords put politics aside and stepped down gracefully from her seat in Congress.

The Arizona Democrat was saluted with fitting bipartisan tributes and a standing ovation after returning to the House floor Wednesday for an emotional farewell. She had announced earlier this week that she would resign to focus on her recovery.

Colleagues gave Giffords a final legislative victory by unanimously approving a border security bill she had sponsored. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called Giffords "the brightest star among us."

Giffords' political career was prematurely cut short after she was critically wounded last January in a rampage that left six people dead and 13 injured.

Among the victims was 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, granddaughter of former Phillies manager Dallas Green, who had gone to see Giffords speak at a "Congress on your corner" event at a Safeway outside Tucson.

The shootings rekindled debate over gun control and sparked pleas for civility during a period of intense partisan bickering within Congress.

A year later, the political rhetoric in Washington may have cooled somewhat, but the too-easy access to guns in this country remains a serious challenge to public safety. Not even the attack on Giffords persuaded the National Rifle Association to join calls for more sensible gun laws.

Giffords was shot at point-blank range outside the grocery store as she waited to meet with constituents. The accused shooter, Jared Loughner, has since been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial.

The congresswoman's courageous recovery, which defied medical odds, has been inspiring. Giffords was hospitalized for months. She had to relearn how to walk and how to speak.

Except for when he was commanding the space shuttle Endeavour's final mission, her husband, retired Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, has been by her side.

Giffords could have remained in office another year, and the popular, three-term Democrat would have been heavily favored for reelection. Instead, she did what too many politicians don't do these days - put her constituents first - while vowing that her retirement won't be permanent.

"Every day, I am working hard. I will recover and will return," Giffords wrote in her resignation letter. Her spirit is exactly what this country needs.