Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords bid farewell to her House colleagues on Wednesday following her announcement to step down as she continues to recover from injuries sustained in the Tucson shooting rampage one year ago. In an tearful ceremony, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a close friend of Giffords, read Giffords’ resignation letter.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz: “I have given all of myself to being able to walk back onto the House floor this year to represent Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. However, today I know that now is not the time. I have more work to do on my recovery before I can again serve in elected office.”