History of Gabby Giffords in Timeline
Gabrielle Dee Giffords is an American retired politician and gun control activist who represented Arizona's 8th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2012. A Democrat, she was the third woman in Arizona's history elected to Congress. Her term tragically ended when she resigned due to severe injuries sustained during an assassination attempt. This event propelled her into advocacy for gun control.
June 8, 1970: Birth of Gabrielle Dee Giffords
Gabrielle Dee Giffords was born on June 8, 1970.
1993: Graduation from Scripps College
Gabby Giffords graduated from Scripps College in California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Latin American History in 1993.
1996: Becomes President and CEO of El Campo Tire Warehouses
Gabby Giffords became the president and CEO of El Campo Tire Warehouses, a family business, in 1996.
1996: Completion of Master's Degree
Gabby Giffords earned a Master's degree in Regional Planning from Cornell University in 1996.
2000: Sale of El Campo Tire Warehouses
Gabby Giffords sold El Campo Tire Warehouses to Goodyear Tire in 2000.
2000: Switches to the Democratic Party
Gabby Giffords switched her political affiliation from Republican to Democrat in 2000.
2001: Begins Practicing Judaism Exclusively
Gabby Giffords started practicing Judaism exclusively in 2001.
2001: Elected to the Arizona House of Representatives
Gabby Giffords was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2001.
2001: Elected to the Arizona House of Representatives
In 2001, Gabby Giffords was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives.
2002: Elected to the Arizona Senate
Gabby Giffords was elected to the Arizona Senate in 2002.
January 2003: Takes Office in the Arizona Senate
Gabby Giffords officially took office as a member of the Arizona Senate in January 2003.
2003: Elected to the Arizona Senate
Gabby Giffords was elected to the Arizona Senate in 2003, becoming the youngest woman to be elected to that body.
2003: Outstanding Legislator Award
Gabby Giffords received the Outstanding Legislator award from Arizona Family Literacy in 2003.
2004: Legislator of the Year Award
Gabby Giffords was named Legislator of the Year in 2004 by the Mental Health Association of Arizona.
2004: Re-elected to the Arizona Senate
Gabby Giffords was re-elected to the Arizona Senate in 2004.
2004: The 2004 Election
The 2004 election took place, which Gabby Giffords later commented on.
2004: Republican Primary
There was a GOP primary in 2004, in which Randy Graf ran against Jim Kolbe.
August 2005: Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
Following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Gabby Giffords volunteered in Houston, Texas, to assist with relief efforts for the hurricane victims.
December 1, 2005: Resigns from Arizona Senate
Gabby Giffords resigned from the Arizona Senate on December 1, 2005, to prepare for her congressional campaign.
2005: Observations on the 2004 Election
In 2005, Gabby Giffords shared her observations on the impact of the 2004 election, noting the strain on the bipartisan coalition and the need to address significant problems faced by Arizona, including job creation, infrastructure, education, and health care.
2005: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
In 2005, Gabby Giffords was elected to the United States House of Representatives.
January 24, 2006: Congressional Candidacy Launch
Gabby Giffords launched her first candidacy for the U.S. Congress on January 24, 2006.
July 9, 2006: NPR Feature on Love of Books
On July 9, 2006, Gabby Giffords, an avid reader, was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition, discussing her passion for books.
September 12, 2006: Wins Democratic Nomination
Gabby Giffords won the Democratic nomination for her congressional race on September 12, 2006.
November 7, 2006: Congressional Election Victory
Gabby Giffords won the election for U.S. Congress on November 7, 2006.
November 2006: Giffords Elected to Congress
In November 2006, Gabby Giffords was elected to the U.S. Congress, marking the beginning of her career in national politics.
2006: Randy Graf Announces Candidacy
Randy Graf announced his candidacy in the congressional race in 2006.
January 3, 2007: Giffords Sworn In as Congresswoman
Gabby Giffords was sworn in as a U.S. Congresswoman on January 3, 2007, becoming the third woman in Arizona's history to hold this position. In her inaugural speech, she advocated for comprehensive immigration reform.
January 2007: Start of Congressional Term
Gabby Giffords began her term as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona's 8th congressional district in January 2007.
April 21, 2007: Giffords Hosts "Congress on Your Corner"
On April 21, 2007, Gabby Giffords hosted her third "Congress on Your Corner" event in Tucson, Arizona, where she interacted with constituents and spoke to the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona.
May 2007: Giffords Votes for Iraq War Funding
In May 2007, Gabby Giffords voted in favor of the contentious Iraq Emergency Supplemental Spending bill, citing her commitment to supporting American troops in active combat.
September 2007: Publication of "The Community Solar Energy Initiative, Solar Energy in Southern Arizona"
In September 2007, Gabby Giffords published "The Community Solar Energy Initiative, Solar Energy in Southern Arizona," a report highlighting Arizona's solar energy potential.
November 10, 2007: Marriage to Mark Kelly
Gabby Giffords married US Navy captain and NASA astronaut Mark Kelly on November 10, 2007.
2007: NPR Interviews on Congressional Experiences
In 2007, Gabby Giffords participated in interviews with Illinois Republican Peter Roskam on NPR's All Things Considered, focusing on their experiences as freshman members of the 110th Congress.
August 1, 2008: Advocacy for Renewable Energy Tax Credits
On August 1, 2008, Gabby Giffords wrote to congressional leaders advocating for the extension of renewable energy tax credits, emphasizing their importance for the industry's growth.
2008: Vote Against Economic Stimulus Act and Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
Gabby Giffords opposed President Bush's Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and initially voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 before changing her vote to a "yes" in the second House vote.
2008: Re-election to Congress
Gabby Giffords was re-elected to a second term in Congress in 2008.
2008: Introduction of H-1B Visa Cap Increase Legislation
In 2008, Gabby Giffords introduced legislation to increase the H-1B visa cap, aiming to support high-tech companies in Southern Arizona that relied on skilled foreign workers, although the bill did not proceed to a vote.
2008: Opposition to Handgun Prohibition in Washington, D.C.
Prior to the shooting in 2008, Gabby Giffords opposed prohibitions on handgun possession in Washington, D.C., and supported the overturning of such restrictions.
2009: Vote for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Gabby Giffords voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
August 2010: Advocacy for Border Security Funding
In August 2010, Gabby Giffords worked to secure funding for increased Border Patrol agents and surveillance technology on the Arizona-Mexico border, ultimately achieving a reduced but still significant funding bill.
August 31, 2010: Support for National Guard Deployment to the Border
On August 31, 2010, Gabby Giffords expressed support for the deployment of National Guard troops to the Arizona border with Mexico.
November 5, 2010: Giffords Wins Re-election
On November 5, 2010, Gabby Giffords won re-election to the United States House of Representatives, defeating Republican Jesse Kelly in a closely contested race.
January 6, 2011: Giffords Reads First Amendment
On January 6, 2011, Gabby Giffords participated in a reading of the United States Constitution on the floor of the House of Representatives, where she read the First Amendment.
January 8, 2011: Giffords Seriously Wounded in Shooting
On January 8, 2011, Gabby Giffords was critically injured after being shot in the head during a constituent meeting in Casas Adobes, Arizona. The tragic event claimed the lives of six people and left several others injured.
January 2011: Assassination Attempt
Gabby Giffords was shot in the head in an assassination attempt and mass shooting during an event with constituents in January 2011.
March 12, 2011: Giffords's Recovery Progress
On March 12, 2011, Giffords's husband informed her about the six fatalities from the January 8th attack. Her doctors reported significant progress in her physical, cognitive, and language abilities.
April 2011: Giffords Cleared for Space Shuttle Launch
In April 2011, despite ongoing recovery, Giffords's doctors cleared her to travel to Florida for the scheduled launch of her husband's final Space Shuttle mission, STS-134. The launch was later delayed.
May 16, 2011: Giffords Attends Husband's Space Shuttle Launch
On May 16, 2011, Gabby Giffords attended the rescheduled launch of her husband's Space Shuttle mission, STS-134, at Kennedy Space Center.
May 18, 2011: Giffords Undergoes Cranioplasty
Gabby Giffords underwent successful cranioplasty surgery on May 18, 2011, to replace the portion of her skull that had been removed after the shooting.
June 9, 2011: Giffords's Cognitive and Language Progress
On June 9, 2011, Giffords's aide reported that her comprehension appeared to be near normal, although she was still not speaking in complete sentences.
August 1, 2011: Giffords Returns to Congress
Gabby Giffords made a triumphant return to the House floor on August 1, 2011, to cast her vote in favor of raising the debt limit ceiling, receiving a standing ovation from her colleagues.
August 2011: Vote to Raise the Debt Ceiling
In August 2011, Gabby Giffords voted in favor of raising the debt ceiling.
August 2011: Return to the House Floor
Gabby Giffords returned to the House floor in August 2011 after recovering from the assassination attempt and received a standing ovation.
October 25, 2011: Giffords Begins Intensive Rehab in North Carolina
On October 25, 2011, Gabby Giffords traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, to begin intensive rehabilitation treatments, which continued until November 4.
November 14, 2011: Giffords and Kelly's First Joint Interview
Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly gave their first joint interview since the shooting to ABC's Diane Sawyer, which aired on a special edition of "20/20" on November 14, 2011, coinciding with the release of their memoir.
November 2011: Kelly's Memoir on Giffords Published
Mark Kelly's memoir, "Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope", detailing Giffords's resilience and recovery, was published in November 2011.
November 15, 2011: Giffords and Kelly Publish Joint Memoir
Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly's joint memoir, "Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope", co-authored with Jeffrey Zaslow, was published on November 15, 2011.
2011: The Assassination Attempt on Gabby Giffords
In 2011, Gabby Giffords survived an assassination attempt, a tragic event that deeply impacted her life and career.
January 2012: Resignation from Congress
Gabby Giffords resigned from her position as a member of the United States House of Representatives in January 2012 due to a severe brain injury from an assassination attempt.
January 22, 2012: Giffords Announces Resignation from Congress
In a video statement released on January 22, 2012, Gabby Giffords announced her decision to resign from Congress to focus on her recovery.
January 24, 2012: State of the Union Address Attendance and Resignation
Gabby Giffords attended President Obama's State of the Union address on January 24, 2012, and formally resigned from the House of Representatives the following day.
February 10, 2012: USS Gabrielle Giffords: Keel-Laying Ceremony
On February 10, 2012, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the next U.S. Navy littoral combat ship would be named USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10). Gabby Giffords, while still recovering from the 2011 assassination attempt, participated in the keel-laying ceremony, etching her initials into the ship.
September 6, 2012: Democratic National Convention Appearance
On September 6, 2012, Gabby Giffords led the Pledge of Allegiance at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
January 2013: Formation of Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC
In January 2013, Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, launched the Americans for Responsible Solutions political action committee to advocate for gun control measures.
January 2013: Ongoing Recovery
In January 2013, Gabby Giffords continued to experience difficulties with speech and mobility, along with paralysis in her right arm, as she continued speech and physical therapy.
January 2013: Launch of Americans for Responsible Solutions
Gabby Giffords, along with her husband, launched Americans for Responsible Solutions in January 2013, a non-profit organization advocating for gun control.
January 30, 2013: Testimony at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
On January 30, 2013, Gabby Giffords delivered impactful testimony at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence, advocating for stricter gun control laws.
2013: Founding of Americans for Responsible Solutions
In 2013, following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, established Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS), a nonprofit and super PAC advocating for gun control and supporting pro-gun control candidates.
January 8, 2014: Skydiving Anniversary Mark
On January 8, 2014, Gabby Giffords commemorated the third anniversary of the shooting by skydiving, highlighting her resilience and determination.
June 13, 2015: USS Gabrielle Giffords Christened
The USS Gabrielle Giffords was christened on June 13, 2015, at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. Gabby Giffords was present at the ceremony, alongside Second Lady Jill Biden, who acted as the ship's sponsor.
2016: Giffords's Ongoing Recovery Challenges
As of 2016, Gabby Giffords continued to face challenges in her recovery, including struggles with language and a fifty percent vision loss in both eyes.
2016: Democratic National Convention Speech
Gabby Giffords delivered a speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in support of Hillary Clinton's presidential nomination.
2016: Giffords's Early Endorsement of Kamala Harris
In 2016, Gabby Giffords first endorsed Kamala Harris, demonstrating her early support for Harris's political career.
2016: Merger with Legal Community Against Violence
The Legal Community Against Violence merged with Americans for Responsible Solutions in 2016.
June 12, 2017: USS Gabrielle Giffords Commissioned
On June 12, 2017, the USS Gabrielle Giffords was officially commissioned in Port of Galveston, Texas, marking its entry into active service.
2017: Call for Action Following Las Vegas Shooting
In 2017, in response to the tragic Las Vegas shooting, Gabby Giffords urged lawmakers to take action on gun control, drawing on her own experience with gun violence.
2017: Reorganization of Americans for Responsible Solutions
In 2017, Americans for Responsible Solutions was reorganized and renamed "Giffords."
2017: Name Change to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
Americans for Responsible Solutions changed its name to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in 2017.
August 2020: Giffords Speaks at Democratic National Convention
In August 2020, Gabby Giffords delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention, endorsing Joe Biden's presidential bid, where she spoke about her experience using music, particularly the French horn, as part of her recovery therapy.
2020: Democratic National Convention Speech
At the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Gabby Giffords advocated for gun control and supported Joe Biden's presidential nomination in her speech.
2020: Speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention
Gabby Giffords called for action on gun control during her speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, demonstrating her commitment to the cause through her recovery journey.
2020: Mark Kelly Becomes US Senator
Gabby Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, became a US Senator for Arizona in 2020.
July 7, 2022: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Gabby Giffords was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 7, 2022, recognizing her contributions and advocacy.
2022: Founding of the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention
Gabby Giffords founded the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention in 2022 to promote community-based solutions for reducing gun violence.
2023: Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade
Gabby Giffords served as the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Rose Parade, presiding over the parade and the Rose Bowl game.
2023: Call for "No More Guns" and Emphasis on Legislation
In 2023, Gabby Giffords concluded an interview with a powerful message: "No more guns," emphasizing her dedication to achieving this goal through legislation.
July 25, 2024: Giffords Endorses Harris, Highlights Gun Safety Stance
On July 25, 2024, Gabby Giffords endorsed Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, emphasizing Harris's commitment to gun safety and contrasting it with the potential for increased gun violence under Donald Trump.
2024: Democratic National Convention Speech
Gabby Giffords advocated for gun safety and reform in her speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.