Gabby's victory

I am so proud of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

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.

Gabby, because of her great desire to do what's right for her constituents, has decided to step down from Congress this week so that she may focus solely on her continued recovery. We thank Gabby for her service in the House of Representatives, but we also know that Gabby's service is not 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: EMILY's List is always behind you, wherever your path takes you. And we will honor you 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. Thank you, Gabby, for never wavering in your pursuit of jobs, security, and the opportunity to bring up healthy families on behalf of your constituents. Thank you for letting us see, in your partnership with your husband Mark Kelly, a marriage of true equals who delight in each other's differences. Thank you for hiring a staff of men and women of all ages who share your extraordinary energy and sense of purpose.

And above all, Gabby, we thank you for letting EMILY's List walk with you 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 you, and felt, in ways large and small, a part of your efforts to make this country better and of your many, many victories.

We are humbled by you, we are inspired by you, and we promise to carry on your dedication to public service every day. Thank you. We love you, Gabby.

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