Gabby Giffords leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the DNC
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, whose political career was cut short when she was seriously wounded by a gunman at a constituent event on January 8, 2011, took the stage at the Democratic National Convention tonight to lead the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Gifforda led the audience through the oath in a spirited but at times slurred voice, as conventioneers, some in tears, joined her before exploding into applause.
She walked haltingly off with the stage with Wasserman Schultz aiding her progress, but all the time flashing a broad smile as supporters stayed on their feet, chanting “Gabby! Gabby!” and, “Fired Up! Ready to go!” during a prolonged ovation.
“Ok, now Gabby Giffords just made me cry,” Newark Mayor Cory Booker tweeted from the floor. “What a testimony to strength, resilience, perseverance and beauty!”
President Barack Obama embracing Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords before delivering his speech at the 2012 State of the Union. photo/Pete Souza, official White House photographer
