Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords received the 2013 Profiles in Courage award at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston on Sunday for her efforts to enact new gun control laws.
Ms. Giffords, who was severely wounded in 2011 when a gunman opened fire at one of the congresswoman’s outdoor town halls, has pushed for more restrictions on gun purchases in the past few months, using her personal tragedy as a platform.
Caroline Kennedy, President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, praised the former Arizona congresswoman for finding the “strength to carry on.”
“Gabrielle Giffords has turned a personal nightmare into a movement for political change,” Ms. Kennedy said.
Ms. Giffords criticized Congress for not passing gun control legislation last week.
“I believe we all have courage inside. I wish there was more courage in Congress,” Ms. Giffords said. “It’s been a hard two years for me. But I want to make the world a better place more than ever.”
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• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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