Description

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has announced that she is resigning this week. Giffords was shot in the head during an assassination attempt in January, 2011. In a videotaped message, Giffords says she has to focus on her recovery. (Jan. 23)

Transcript

[Location - Date:JAN.22][Source:GABRIELLEGIFFORDS.COM][VO:][VOICE-OVER]TRACK#1 MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER SURVIVING AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AND FOLLOWING A RECOVERY THAT'S BEEN CALLED NOTHING SHORT OF MIRACULOUS, CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS OF ARIZONA HAS MADE A DECISION ABOUT HER POLITICAL FUTURE.[SOT/:REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS/(D) ARIZONA]"I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona, I will step down this week."[Location - Date:][Source:][VO:][VOICE-OVER]TRACK#2GIFFORDS RELEASED A SHORT VIDEO, THANKING HER CONSTITUENTS FOR TRUSTING HER TO BE THEIR VOICE, AND EXPLAINING HER DECISION TO LEAVE OFFICE.THE VIDEO, WHICH RUNS JUST ABOUT A MINUTE LONG, INCLUDES GIFFORDS LOOKING DIRECTLY INTO THE CAMERA AS SHE SPEAKS, AS WELL AS PICTURES OF HER IN REHABILITATION.[NATSOT:][SOURCE:][COURTESY:][SOT/]"i'm getting better. Every day my spirit is high."[Location - Date:TUCSON, ARIZONA][Source:JANUARY 8, 2011][VO:][VOICE-OVER]TRACK#3GIFFORDS WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD DURING A MEET AND GREET EVENT WITH CONSTITUENTS IN TUCSON, IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR.SIX PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE SHOOTING.GIFFORDS WAS ONE OF 13 WOUNDED.[Notes:COURTESY: ARIZONA DAILY STAR/MAMTA POPAT]A MAN NAMED JARED LEE LOUGHNER HAS BEEN CHARGED IN THE SHOOTINGS.[Notes:GABRIELLEGIFFORDS.COM]GIFFORDS, IN HER RECORDING, SAYS SHE DOES NOT REMEMBER MUCH ABOUT WHAT SHE CALLS THAT HORRIBLE DAY.CARLOTTA BRADLEY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE: CARLOTTA BRADLEY-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: ROD JUSSIM---------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: GABRIELLEGIFFORDS.COM, FILE, STILL PHOTO FROM ARIZONA DAILY STAR/MAMTA POPAT-----------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: ROD JUSSIM----------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: COURTESY----------------------------------MARKET EMBARGO (S): NONE--------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: V5287AP-US--Giffords-The Announcement, 4th Ld-