Army honors former US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords for service
Oct 11, 2013, 10:55 AM | Updated: 10:55 am
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was presented with the Army’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award on Thursday.
The ceremony was held at the Pentagon in Washington. Giffords was accompanied by her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly. U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, who initially won a special election to finish Giffords’ term, then won the seat outright, also was in attendance.
Under Secretary of the Army Joseph Westphal presented the award and noted, according to the Army website, Giffords’ support for Army funding in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The citation read in part: “Congresswoman Giffords’ patriotic and passionate service to our nation is in keeping with the highest traditions of public service and reflects great credit on her, the United States Congress and the United States of America.”
Barber spoke after the presentation, the site reported. “Gabby has inspired the nation with her courage, intrepid spirit and determination. Her courage has inspired more people than she’ll ever know, not just in this country, but worldwide,” he said.
