Gabby Giffords’ statement on the retirement of  Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

WASHINGTON — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of the national gun violence prevention organization GIFFORDS, released the following statement celebrating the groundbreaking career of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi as she announces her retirement from Congress. A long-timefriend of Congresswoman Giffords’, Speaker Pelosi has been a steadfast gun safety champion for decades, and her support for commonsense gun legislation in Congress was crucial to the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most important federal gun safety law in 30 years. 

“Our nation is stronger and safer because of Nancy Pelosi’s decades of leadership, and I have been fortunate to call her a mentor and friend,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “She guided us through historic times, from the passage of the Affordable Care Act to the first federal legislation in almost 30 years to tackle the gun violence epidemic. Speaker Pelosi established the nation’s first gun violence prevention task force following the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, fought tirelessly for lifesaving background check legislation and never shied away from criticizing the corrupt gun lobby.” 

“Speaker Pelosi has led with courage, integrity and grit. As the first woman speaker of the House, she inspired me, and at my bedside following the shooting that turned my life upside-down, she uplifted me. I thank her for her service, and congratulate her on her well-earned retirement.” Giffords added.