Former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has been named the 2013 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award “in recognition of the political, personal, and physical courage she has demonstrated in her fearless public advocacy for policy reforms aimed at reducing gun violence.”
In January, 2011, Giffords was in a supermarket parking lot meeting with constituents when she was shot in the head at point-blank range. The shooter then continued his rampage, eventually killing six people, including a child.
Two years later, after her retirement from Congress and rehabilitation that included relearning how to speak, she and her husband Mark Kelly formed Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC “to encourage elected officials to stand up for solutions to prevent gun violence and protect responsible gun ownership.”
“Gabby Giffords has inspired the world with her bravery and her dedication to making change through the political process,” said Caroline Kennedy, President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. “Instead of retreating following the tragic shooting that ended her Congressional career, she has recommitted herself to fighting for a more peaceful society free from hate and violence. She is a true Profile in Courage.”
The award will be presented by Caroline Kennedy at a ceremony at the JFK Library in Boston on Sunday, May 5.
You can watch Caroline Kennedy discussing the decision to award this year’s honor to Rep. Giffords on CBS This Morninghere.
AP Photo
