Gabrielle Giffords has decided that she needs to focus on her recovery from her brain injury and resign from Congress. Her last day in Congress was Wednesday. That day, the House unanimously passed a bipartisan bill she had created to improve border security.

There was much emotion on the House floor as Giffords officially handed in her resignation. Her friend, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, spoke for Giffords in a speech and many colleagues in Congress gave her hugs and kisses as she walked across the House floor.

Giffords has made remarkable progress in her recovery since she was shot in the head at close range a year ago during a constituent event. She still has many hurdles to go through though. She needs more rehabilitation in order to speak complete sentences. It shows how difficult it is to recover from a traumatic brain injury and go back to work, even when someone has the best care available.

Giffords has a long road still ahead of her, but she is a determined person. Many said on her last day that they believed she would eventually return to public service, as did she through her friend. Her husband and mother were in the audience of the House gallery watching in support.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Gabrielle Giffords bids an emotional farewell to Congress," Lisa Mascaro, Jan. 25, 2012