Giffords attends husband’s retirement event

Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords flew to Washington to attend a Thursday retirement ceremony for her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, The Associated Press reports.

According to the AP:

The visit marks the Arizona congresswoman's second trip to the nation's capital since she was shot in the head last January while meeting with constituents in Tucson. About 30 people, including Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, greeted her and Kelly with a standing ovation as they entered the Secretary of War suite at the Eisenhower Executive Building next to the White House. Giffords walked slowly and with a noticeable limp, but she looked overjoyed to see some of her fellow lawmakers again.

Reporters were not given the opportunity to talk to Giffords, the AP reports.

In June, Kelly said he would retire this year to devote more time to helping his wife recover from the injuries she sustained in the shooting spree which killed six people and wounded 12, CNN reports. Since the shooting, Giffords has been undergoing rehabilitation in Arizona and Texas.

According to CNN:

Kelly, 47,enlisted the military in 1987 and served as a combat and test pilot before joining the U.S. space program. He was part of space shuttle flights in 2001 and 2006, and then commanded ones in 2008 and again in May.

Vice President Joe Biden and Giffords presented Kelly with two medals to honor his 25 years of service with the Navy and NASA, Reuters reports.

"It's not everyday that you encounter examples of sheer, sheer courage, selflessness and dedication like you see in this couple," Biden said during the ceremony, Reuters reports.

Kelly thanked his wife in a speech, according to Reuters. "Gabby, you remind me everyday to deny the acceptance of failure, that you inspire devoted public service and make me jealous of true grit and determination," Kelly said.