Native Vote 2012

American Indian Congressional Candidates Weigh In on US Rep Giffords Leaving Congress

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Representative Gabrielle Giffords

TUCSON - US Representative Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona, who was senselessly shot just over a year ago, announced on Sunday that she is resigning from Congress this week so that she can devote her attention to her full recovery.

The announcement came through a video released by her Congressional office.

On that fateful day - January 8, 2011 - Representative Giffords was shot by Jared Lee Loughner, as she was meeting constituents at a "Congress on Your Corner" meet-and-greet just outside of Tucson. Six people were killed, including a federal judge who stopped by to say hello to Congresswoman Giffords.

"I thank Congresswoman Giffords for her extraordinary dedication and commitment to serving the great state of Arizona, and our nation. Giffords' courage and strength, in the face of such adversity, has been an inspiration to all of us. Her profound passion for public service has inspired me to answer her call to join together to work for Arizona and this great country,"

commented Wenona Benally Baldenegro, Navajo, who is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination in Arizona's Congressional District One in a statement released Sunday afternoon.

Democrat Derek Bailey, Ottawa, who is seeking his party's nomination in Michigan's First Congressional District issued this statement yesterday:

Derek Bailey-Ottawa

"Congress is losing a hero with Representative Gabrielle Giffords taking some time off. Gabby is not just a hero because she has so bravely and successfully fought back from that horrific day a year ago. But she is a hero because she refused to play the partisan, political games in Congress that are so harming our country. Gabby preached bipartisanship, and set an example in working to get things done no matter whose idea it was. We are eternally grateful to her for her service. Gabby and her husband Mark have been and remain in our prayers."

Congresswoman Giffords is known for her support of American Indians. Last year at a memorial service for the victims killed that was attended by President Obama, Pascua Yaqui tribal citizen, Dr. Carlos Gonzales delivered a healing prayer for those injured, including Representative Giffords.

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Tohono O'odham Nation are based within the Congressional district.

posted January 23, 2012 7:10 am est