EMILY’s List, the PAC which helps elect pro-choice, Democratic women and worked to elect Gabrielle Giffords released the following statement about Giffords choice to step down from Congress this week:
“Here at EMILY’s List, we’ve been proud of Gabby for a long time. Proud of her when she ran, as such a young woman, for the state legislature in Arizona. Proud of her when she ran for congress – every time. Proud of her during her last election, when she talked about her positions on things like health care and border security, and was re-elected by constituents who realized that Gabby Giffords was the real deal: tough, resolute, and more focused on doing what was right for folks in Arizona than on political expediency.
“But never have we been more proud of Gabby then over the last year. In the face of unimaginable tragedy and pain, she has shown courage and strength – limitless strength, it has seemed. We are so proud of Gabby’s remarkable, and ongoing, recovery. In the face of personal grief and challenges, she has reminded all of us of the power we have to get through the worst of times. We are so proud of her dignity, and her deep responsibility to her community.
“Today, we thank Gabby for her service in the House of Representatives, but we also know that Gabby’s service isn’t over. Gabby is that rare person: a leader who transcends her job and with every action she takes sends a beacon for the rest of us to follow. With every step I see Gabby take – steps I know she has worked hard to take –my resolution to honor her determination and grit, her grace and dignity – grows.
“We pledge to Gabby that EMILY’s List will always be behind her, wherever her path takes her. We will honor Gabby every day by working to make sure that strong, determined, bright young women of integrity and joy know that they can be leaders at every level of government, right up to the highest – and that they feel the strength of the EMILY’s List community behind them, as Gabby has.
“And we thank Gabby, for so many things. We thank Gabby for never wavering in her pursuit of jobs, security, and the opportunity to bring up healthy families on behalf of her constituents. For letting us see, in her partnership with husband Mark Kelly, a marriage of true equals who delight in each other’s differences. We thank her for hiring a staff of men and women of all ages who share her extraordinary energy and sense of purpose.
“And above all, we thank Gabby for letting EMILY’s List walk with her every step of the way. In big cities and in small towns throughout this country, hundreds of thousands of EMILY’s List members have been inspired by Gabby, and felt, in ways large and small, a part of her efforts to make this country better and of her many, many victories.
“We are humbled by Gabby, we are inspired by Gabby, and we promise to carry on Gabby’s dedication to public service every day.”
