🚀 go-pugleaf

We give awards to morons because a shooter was a bad shot now?

By Debbie Goffa
March 8, 2013, 10:57 a.m.

Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords, who was critically 
injured in a shooting two years ago, on Friday was named this 
year's recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award 
for her work to reduce gun violence.

Giffords, a Democrat from Arizona, has been undergoing 
rehabilitation after being shot in the head during a public 
appearance in Tuscon on Jan. 8, 2011. Six people died, including 
District Judge John Roll; Gabe Zimmerman, one of Giffords' 
staffers; and the 9-year-old granddaughter of former 
Philadelphia Phillies manager and Chicago Cubs general manager 
Dallas Green.

�Gabby Giffords has inspired the world with her bravery and her 
dedication to making change through the political process,� 
Caroline Kennedy said in a statement. �Instead of retreating 
following the tragic shooting that ended her Congressional 
career, she has recommitted herself to fighting for a more 
peaceful society free from hate and violence.�

Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, have 
become vocal supporters of universal background checks on gun 
purchases. They formed the group Americans for Responsible 
Solutions to encourage elected officials to support measures 
that would prevent gun violence. The two have made a number of 
recent high-profile visits to various states in support of gun 
control legislation.

The statement cited the "political, personal, and physical 
courage she has demonstrated in her fearless public advocacy for 
policy reforms aimed at reducing gun violence."

The award is presented annually to those who have demonstrated 
political courage without regard for personal consequences. The 
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation created the award in 1989 to 
honor President Kennedy�s commitment and contribution to public 
service. Previous winners include Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) 
and former Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).

The award is scheduled to be presented to Giffords at the John 
F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston on Sunday.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-gabby-
giffords-to-receive-jfk-courage-award-20130308,0,2482533.story

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