Giffords leaving Congress with a message to remember

Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had developed a reputation during her first six years in Congress as a model of bipartisanship, a congresswoman who was willing to reach across the aisle without hesitation.

A year ago, her voice of moderation was temporarily silenced by a man who had no respect for civil discourse and no respect for the rights of others, even their right to life.

Jared Loughner opened fire on Giffords and a group of staff and constituents attending a “meet the congresswoman” event outside a Tucson supermarket.

In this week when events have reminded us of the amazing story of Giffords’ survival after being shot in the head, it is worthwhile to take a few moments to remember those who died: U.S. District Judge John M. Roll, 63; Christina Taylor Green, 9; Gabe Zimmerman, 30, a Giffords aide; Dorothy Morris, 76; Dorwin Stoddard, 76, and Phyllis Scheck, 79. Twelve others were wounded.

Giffords was subjected to multiple surgeries, followed by months of intensive therapy and a level of recovery that boggles the mind given the severity of her injuries. The nation watched as a woman who was once one of the most articulate members of a profession that thrives on articulation, fought back to be able to put together simple sentences in a voice and cadence that touched our hearts.

Time to heal

But last week Giffords acknowledged that she had yet a long way to cover on her road to recovery and that the commitment required was incompatible with continuing to serve in the Congress.

There are those who would say that she should have reached that conclusion sooner. But Giffords had every right to complete the entire two-year term to which she had been sworn in shortly before being shot. And if she had, she would not have come even close to the amount of time several members of the Senate have kept their seats while totally incapacitated.

It was a reflection of her optimistic spirit that Giffords spent a year working toward a return to the House floor on a regular basis. It was a reflection of her sense of what’s realistic and her integrity that when it became apparent that return was not possible at this time, she announced her intention to resign.

Wednesday Giffords accomplished two things on the floor of Congress. She voted on her last bill, a bill she introduced that will close a loophole that imposed lesser penalties on smugglers who use ultralight aircraft rather than autos or planes to smuggle drugs.

It passed unanimously, 408-0. That vote was numerical evidence of the effect Giffords had in reaching across the aisle. Leaders and members of Congress, Democrat and Republican alike, were also unanimous in their expressions of admiration for Giffords.

She has returned to Arizona. Perhaps it is too much to ask that the spirit of bipartisanship she inspired lingers in the Capitol. But if her fellow members of Congress want to acknowledge her legacy, they could at least try to emulate her strength and conviction.