Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly Featured in Mandisa’s “Overcomer” Video
Video premier coincides with launch of @GabbyGiffords on social app Instagram
WASHINGTON – Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and retired astronaut and Navy Captain Mark Kelly are featured in the just-released music video for three-time GRAMMY® nominee and Season 5 American Idol finalist Mandisa’s new Christian chart-topping single “Overcomer,” which premiered this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA).
“I was really inspired by Mandisa’s song ‘Overcomer’ because its message is one of hope, perseverance and faith,” said Giffords. “We can’t always control what happens to us in life, but we can control how we respond. Like the song says, if we keep positive and ‘stay in the fight till the final round,’ we can overcome more than we ever dreamed possible.”
The “Overcomer” video, which includes never-before-released footage of Giffords’ road to recovery after being shot in the head at point-blank range at a Congress on Your Corner event in Tucson in 2011, can be viewed here: http://abcn.ws/18vCbT3. Giffords and Kelly appear in the video alongside GMA anchor Robin Roberts and Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Scott Hamilton.
Coinciding with the music video premier, Giffords also launched an Instagram account this morning with the username @GabbyGiffords.
“When I thought of who has been an example of an overcomer in a very public battle, it is hard to imagine anyone more appropriate than the amazing people in my video,” said Mandisa. “They have all fought, and continue to fight victoriously. I pray that sharing their inspirational stories throughout the video will leave people saying, “’If they can do it, so can I!’”
Giffords and Kelly are co-founders of the gun violence prevention organization Americans for Responsible for Solutions (ARS), which was founded in Jan. 2013. ARS is working in local communities to build an organization with millions of people committed to finding sensible ways to reduce gun violence and encouraging elected officials to enact responsible firearms policies that protect the Second Amendment. Today, ARS stands more than 500,000 strong.
Connect with Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly and ARS:
Instagram: @GabbyGiffords
Twitter: @GabbyGiffords and @ShuttleCDRKelly