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'''Gabrielle Giffords''' (born June 8, 1970) is the ] for {{ushr|Arizona|8|}}. She is a member of the ]. '''Gabrielle Giffords''' (born June 8, 1970) was the ] for {{ushr|Arizona|8|}}. She was a member of the ].


==Member of the U.S. House of Representatives== ==Member of the U.S. House of Representatives==
] ]
Giffords was first sworn in as a congresswoman on January 3, 2007. She is the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to serve in the U.S. Congress. In her inaugural speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Giffords said a comprehensive immigration reform package needs to include modern technology to secure the border, more border patrol agents, tough employer sanctions for businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, and a guest-worker program. In her first month in office, Congresswoman Giffords voted to support increased federal funding for ], raising the ], endorsing the recommendations of the ], and supporting new rules for the House of Representatives targeting ethical issues. Giffords also voted to repeal subsidies to big oil companies and invest the savings in ]. "We put our national security at risk by relying on oil from unstable regimes in the ] and ]," Giffords told her colleagues in a speech on the House floor during debate on the ]. The act repeals $14 billion in subsidies given to oil companies and establishes a ] to increase research in clean renewable energy, to develop greater energy efficiency, and to improve energy conservation. Giffords was first sworn in as a congresswoman on January 3, 2007. She was the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to serve in the U.S. Congress. In her inaugural speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Giffords said a comprehensive immigration reform package needs to include modern technology to secure the border, more border patrol agents, tough employer sanctions for businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, and a guest-worker program. In her first month in office, Congresswoman Giffords voted to support increased federal funding for ], raising the ], endorsing the recommendations of the ], and supporting new rules for the House of Representatives targeting ethical issues. Giffords also voted to repeal subsidies to big oil companies and invest the savings in ]. "We put our national security at risk by relying on oil from unstable regimes in the ] and ]," Giffords told her colleagues in a speech on the House floor during debate on the ]. The act repeals $14 billion in subsidies given to oil companies and establishes a ] to increase research in clean renewable energy, to develop greater energy efficiency, and to improve energy conservation.


During the 2007 session of Congress, Giffords introduced a bill (H.R. 1441)<ref> Library of Congress. Retrieved 2008-03-09.</ref> that forbids the sale of F-14 aircraft parts on the open market.<ref> Aero-News.net, June 13, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-09.</ref> She also voted for the contentious ], saying, "I cannot, in good conscience, allow the military to run out of money while American servicemen and women are being attacked every day".<ref> '']'' June 5, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-09.</ref> During the 2007 session of Congress, Giffords introduced a bill (H.R. 1441)<ref> Library of Congress. Retrieved 2008-03-09.</ref> that forbids the sale of F-14 aircraft parts on the open market.<ref> Aero-News.net, June 13, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-09.</ref> She also voted for the contentious ], saying, "I cannot, in good conscience, allow the military to run out of money while American servicemen and women are being attacked every day".<ref> '']'' June 5, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-09.</ref>


Giffords is a member of the ] and the ]. She is the only member of the U.S. Congress whose spouse, astronaut ], is an active duty member of the U.S. military.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/about/ |title=Giffords for Congress 2010 » About Gabrielle |publisher=Giffordsforcongress.com |date=2010-03-26 |accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref> She is also known as a strong proponent of solar energy as well as for her work to secure the border with Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://giffords.house.gov/2010/07/senate-rejects-border-funding-us-rep-giffords-is-outraged.shtml |title=Senate rejects border funding; U.S. Rep Giffords is outraged |publisher=KGUN9 Tucson |date=2010-07-26 |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bensonnews-sun.com/articles/2008/12/31/news/news01.txt |title=Solar energy, immigration top congresswoman's priorities |publisher=San Pedro Valley News-Sun |date=2008-12-30 |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref> Giffords was a member of the ] and the ]. She was the only member of the U.S. Congress whose spouse, astronaut ], was an active duty member of the U.S. military.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/about/ |title=Giffords for Congress 2010 » About Gabrielle |publisher=Giffordsforcongress.com |date=2010-03-26 |accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref> She was also known as a strong proponent of solar energy as well as for her work to secure the border with Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://giffords.house.gov/2010/07/senate-rejects-border-funding-us-rep-giffords-is-outraged.shtml |title=Senate rejects border funding; U.S. Rep Giffords was outraged |publisher=KGUN9 Tucson |date=2010-07-26 |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bensonnews-sun.com/articles/2008/12/31/news/news01.txt |title=Solar energy, immigration top congresswoman's priorities |publisher=San Pedro Valley News-Sun |date=2008-12-30 |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref>


On January 8, 2011, Giffords was shot outside a ] in northwest ] during her first "Congress on Your Corner" gathering of the year. At least five others were injured when a man ran up to the crowd and began firing.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132764367/congresswoman-shot-in-arizona | title=Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona | newspaper=] | date=January 8, 2011 | accessdate=2011-01-08}}</ref> On January 8, 2011, Giffords was shot outside a ] in northwest ] during her first "Congress on Your Corner" gathering of the year. At least five others were injured when a man ran up to the crowd and began firing.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132764367/congresswoman-shot-in-arizona | title=Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona | newspaper=] | date=January 8, 2011 | accessdate=2011-01-08}}</ref>
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===Political positions=== ===Political positions===
====Abortion==== ====Abortion====
Giffords is pro-choice and has a 100% rating from NARAL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=3920 |title=Project Vote Smart - NARAL Pro-Choice America Rating |publisher=Votesmart.org |date= |accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref> Giffords was pro-choice and has a 100% rating from NARAL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=3920 |title=Project Vote Smart - NARAL Pro-Choice America Rating |publisher=Votesmart.org |date= |accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref>


====Economic policy==== ====Economic policy====
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====Education==== ====Education====
Giffords argues that Americans are competing on a global level and that this competition starts in the classroom. She is a critic of the ] law, viewing it as an unfunded federal mandate. She is a graduate of public schools and supports them with a variety of proposals to make them more effective.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} Giffords argues that Americans are competing on a global level and that this competition starts in the classroom. She was a critic of the ] law, viewing it as an unfunded federal mandate. She was a graduate of public schools and supports them with a variety of proposals to make them more effective.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}


====Energy==== ====Energy====
Giffords believes that ] sources needs to be a top public policy priority and she is a strong proponent of ].<ref>{{cite web Giffords believes that ] sources needs to be a top public policy priority and she was a strong proponent of ].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.sciencecoalition.org/showContent.cfm?id=472&section=briefingroom&pageName=Legislative%20Issues |url=http://www.sciencecoalition.org/showContent.cfm?id=472&section=briefingroom&pageName=Legislative%20Issues
|title=The Science Coalition |title=The Science Coalition
|accessdate = 2009-05-05}}</ref> |accessdate = 2009-05-05}}</ref>


''Tucson Weekly'' noted a letter Giffords sent, on August 1, 2008, to congressional leaders regarding ] that were set to expire. She wrote "failure to extend the tax credits would deal a devastating blow to the U.S. renewable energy industry, just as it is beginning to take off."<ref>{{cite web|last=Schuster |first=John |url=http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=oid:114370 |title=Power Play &#124; Currents Feature |publisher=Tucson Weekly |date= |accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref> ''Tucson Weekly'' noted a letter Giffords sent, on August 1, 2008, to congressional leaders regarding ] that were set to expire. She wrote "failure to extend the tax credits would deal a devastating blow to the U.S. renewable energy industry, just as it was beginning to take off."<ref>{{cite web|last=Schuster |first=John |url=http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=oid:114370 |title=Power Play &#124; Currents Feature |publisher=Tucson Weekly |date= |accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref>


In September 2007 she released a report titled: ''The Community Solar Energy Initiative, Solar Energy in Southern Arizona''. The report states that Arizona has enough daily sunshine to power the entire United States. It reviews current energy usage and discusses how to increase the production of solar electricity.<ref name="house1">http://giffords.house.gov/Solar%20Energy%20in%20Southern%20Arizona%20Report_Exec%20Summary.pdf</ref> In September 2007 she released a report titled: ''The Community Solar Energy Initiative, Solar Energy in Southern Arizona''. The report states that Arizona has enough daily sunshine to power the entire United States. It reviews current energy usage and discusses how to increase the production of solar electricity.<ref name="house1">http://giffords.house.gov/Solar%20Energy%20in%20Southern%20Arizona%20Report_Exec%20Summary.pdf</ref>
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====Immigration and border security==== ====Immigration and border security====
Arizona's 8th Congressional District is one of 10 in the country bordering ]. Giffords has stated that the ] legislation is a "clear calling that the federal government needs to do a better job".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/28/immigration.reform.debate/index.html | title=Democrats call for elimination of Arizona's new immigration law | publisher=CNN | date=April 28, 2010}}</ref> and saying that she hopes the legislation acts as a wake up call to the federal government despite the fact that it "does nothing to secure our border". <ref> {{cite web|url=http://giffords.house.gov/2010/04/us-rep-gabrielle-giffords-statement-on-arizonas-new-immigration-law-and-the-need-to-secure-our-borde.shtml|title=Giffords statement on Arizona's new immigration law and the us border|date=2010-04-30|accessdate|2010-08-10}} </ref> Arizona's 8th Congressional District was one of 10 in the country bordering ]. Giffords has stated that the ] legislation was a "clear calling that the federal government needs to do a better job".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/28/immigration.reform.debate/index.html | title=Democrats call for elimination of Arizona's new immigration law | publisher=CNN | date=April 28, 2010}}</ref> and saying that she hopes the legislation acts as a wake up call to the federal government despite the fact that it "does nothing to secure our border". <ref> {{cite web|url=http://giffords.house.gov/2010/04/us-rep-gabrielle-giffords-statement-on-arizonas-new-immigration-law-and-the-need-to-secure-our-borde.shtml|title=Giffords statement on Arizona's new immigration law and the us border|date=2010-04-30|accessdate|2010-08-10}} </ref>


On August 31, 2010 Congresswoman Giffords praised the arrival of National Guard troops on the border: "Arizonans have waited a long time for the deployment of the National Guard in our state. Their arrival represents a renewed national commitment to protecting our border communities from drug cartels and smugglers."<ref> {{cite web|url=http://giffords.house.gov/2010/08/us-rep-gabrielle-giffords-statement-on-arrival-of-national-guard-troops-on-the-arizona-mexico-border.shtml|title=U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS’ STATEMENT ON ARRIVAL OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS ON THE ARIZONA-MEXICO BORDER|date=2010-08-31|accessdate|2010-10-11}} </ref> On August 31, 2010 Congresswoman Giffords praised the arrival of National Guard troops on the border: "Arizonans have waited a long time for the deployment of the National Guard in our state. Their arrival represents a renewed national commitment to protecting our border communities from drug cartels and smugglers."<ref> {{cite web|url=http://giffords.house.gov/2010/08/us-rep-gabrielle-giffords-statement-on-arrival-of-national-guard-troops-on-the-arizona-mexico-border.shtml|title=U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS’ STATEMENT ON ARRIVAL OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS ON THE ARIZONA-MEXICO BORDER|date=2010-08-31|accessdate|2010-10-11}} </ref>
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|title=Gabrielle Giffords wins re-election in Arizona |title=Gabrielle Giffords wins re-election in Arizona
|publisher=AZCentral.com|date=November 5, 2010 |publisher=AZCentral.com|date=November 5, 2010
|accessdate = 2010-11-06}}</ref> Kelly was listed as a top ten ] candidate to watch by Politico. He is described as "so conservative that he's slammed Palin for endorsing candidates who are too moderate." <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/09/21/20100921-tea-party-candidates-to-watch-politico-prog.html?page=2#ixzz11vdFO15S |accessdate = 2010-11-06}}</ref> Kelly was listed as a top ten ] candidate to watch by Politico. He was described as "so conservative that he's slammed Palin for endorsing candidates who are too moderate." <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/09/21/20100921-tea-party-candidates-to-watch-politico-prog.html?page=2#ixzz11vdFO15S
|title=Top 10 "Tea Party' Candidates to Watch |title=Top 10 "Tea Party' Candidates to Watch
|publisher=AZCentral.com|date=September 21, 2010 |publisher=AZCentral.com|date=September 21, 2010
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|title=Voters reject immigrant-bashing among candidates |title=Voters reject immigrant-bashing among candidates
|publisher=San Jose Mercury News|date=November 12, 2006 |publisher=San Jose Mercury News|date=November 12, 2006
|accessdate = 2006-11-12}}</ref> Graf did not even carry a majority in ], a border region where illegal immigration is an important local issue. Nonetheless, Arizona's continuing interest in the issue is evidenced by the fact that all ] in the general election relating to restricting benefits to illegal aliens did pass by wide margins. |accessdate = 2006-11-12}}</ref> Graf did not even carry a majority in ], a border region where illegal immigration was an important local issue. Nonetheless, Arizona's continuing interest in the issue was evidenced by the fact that all ] in the general election relating to restricting benefits to illegal aliens did pass by wide margins.


==Arizona State Senator and Representative== ==Arizona State Senator and Representative==
Giffords began her political career as a legislator in the ], where she served from 2001 to 2003. Giffords began her political career as a legislator in the ], where she served from 2001 to 2003.


Giffords was elected to the ] in the fall of 2002 and is the youngest woman ever elected to this body. She took office in January 2003 and was re-elected in 2004. She resigned from the Arizona Senate on December 1, 2005, in preparation for her congressional campaign. Giffords was elected to the ] in the fall of 2002 and was the youngest woman ever elected to this body. She took office in January 2003 and was re-elected in 2004. She resigned from the Arizona Senate on December 1, 2005, in preparation for her congressional campaign.


In early 2005, Giffords said of the Arizona Legislature: "The previous two legislatures enjoyed the benefits of a working coalition consisting of Democrats and middle-of-the-road Republicans. Due to a lack of competitive legislative districts and low voter turnout during GOP primaries, a fairly large crop of mostly conservative Republicans will dominate the House and Senate in 2005." Giffords' concerns played out as an increasingly conservative legislature combined with a Democratic governor, led to increased polarity in Arizona politics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/2005/01/10/guest-opinion-right-wing-agenda-will-obscure-our-most-pressing-issues/ In early 2005, Giffords said of the Arizona Legislature: "The previous two legislatures enjoyed the benefits of a working coalition consisting of Democrats and middle-of-the-road Republicans. Due to a lack of competitive legislative districts and low voter turnout during GOP primaries, a fairly large crop of mostly conservative Republicans will dominate the House and Senate in 2005." Giffords' concerns played out as an increasingly conservative legislature combined with a Democratic governor, led to increased polarity in Arizona politics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/2005/01/10/guest-opinion-right-wing-agenda-will-obscure-our-most-pressing-issues/
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Giffords married U.S. Navy Captain and ] ] on November 10, 2007. He was the ]'s pilot on ] and ]. STS-121 in 2006 was the first shuttle mission to launch on the ]. Giffords participated in a NASA tradition when she selected "]" by ] as one of the wake-up calls for the STS-121 shuttle crew. On May 31, 2008, Kelly launched into orbit for the third time as Commander of ]. This mission in to space marked the first time an astronaut was married to a sitting member of the U.S. Congress.<ref>{{cite web|last=Faherty |first=John |url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/01/20080601Giffords0601.html |title=Congresswoman's husband now in orbit |publisher=Azcentral.com |date=2008-06-01 |accessdate=2011-01-08}}</ref> Giffords married U.S. Navy Captain and ] ] on November 10, 2007. He was the ]'s pilot on ] and ]. STS-121 in 2006 was the first shuttle mission to launch on the ]. Giffords participated in a NASA tradition when she selected "]" by ] as one of the wake-up calls for the STS-121 shuttle crew. On May 31, 2008, Kelly launched into orbit for the third time as Commander of ]. This mission in to space marked the first time an astronaut was married to a sitting member of the U.S. Congress.<ref>{{cite web|last=Faherty |first=John |url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/01/20080601Giffords0601.html |title=Congresswoman's husband now in orbit |publisher=Azcentral.com |date=2008-06-01 |accessdate=2011-01-08}}</ref>


Giffords' parents are Spencer J. Giffords and Gloria Kay Fraser Giffords. Giffords is Arizona's first Jewish Congresswoman.<ref>{{cite news Giffords' parents are Spencer J. Giffords and Gloria Kay Fraser Giffords. Giffords was Arizona's first Jewish Congresswoman.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Gelbart | last = Gelbart
| first = Debra Morton | first = Debra Morton
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| url = http://www.jta.org/news/article/1999/11/30/14643 | url = http://www.jta.org/news/article/1999/11/30/14643
| doi = | doi =
| accessdate = 2010-05-04 }}</ref> She is a member of Congregation Chaverim in Tucson. | accessdate = 2010-05-04 }}</ref> She was a member of Congregation Chaverim in Tucson.


After ] struck in the late summer of 2005, Giffords spent time as a volunteer in ], ], in relief efforts for Hurricane victims. She wrote about her experience in the ''Tucson Citizen''.<ref>{{cite web After ] struck in the late summer of 2005, Giffords spent time as a volunteer in ], ], in relief efforts for Hurricane victims. She wrote about her experience in the ''Tucson Citizen''.<ref>{{cite web
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|accessdate = 2007-05-08 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070422115300/http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/2005/09/19/guest-opinion-houstons-humble-haven-if-nothing-else-we-should-learn-from-tragedy/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-04-22}}</ref> |accessdate = 2007-05-08 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070422115300/http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/2005/09/19/guest-opinion-houstons-humble-haven-if-nothing-else-we-should-learn-from-tragedy/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-04-22}}</ref>


Giffords is an avid reader and was featured on ]'s '']'' on July 9, 2006. She discussed books she was currently reading, including ''First Man'', a biography of astronaut ] and a book by ] about the intricacies of the diamond industry across several continents. Congresswoman Giffords was periodically interviewed together with Illinois Republican ] on NPR's '']''. The series focused on their experiences as freshman members of the 110th Congress. Giffords was an avid reader and was featured on ]'s '']'' on July 9, 2006. She discussed books she was currently reading, including ''First Man'', a biography of astronaut ] and a book by ] about the intricacies of the diamond industry across several continents. Congresswoman Giffords was periodically interviewed together with Illinois Republican ] on NPR's '']''. The series focused on their experiences as freshman members of the 110th Congress.


==Electoral History== ==Electoral History==

Revision as of 18:47, 8 January 2011

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Gabrielle Giffords
File:Gabrielle giffords 2009.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2007
Preceded byJim Kolbe
Member of the Arizona Senate
from the 28th legislative district
In office
2003–2005
Succeeded byPaula Aboud
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 28th legislative district
In office
2001–2003
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMark E. Kelly
ResidenceTucson
Alma materCornell University (M.U.P.)
Scripps College (B.A.)
ProfessionPolitician; businesswoman

Gabrielle Giffords (born June 8, 1970) was the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 8th congressional district. She was a member of the Democratic Party.

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Rep. Giffords in 2007

Giffords was first sworn in as a congresswoman on January 3, 2007. She was the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to serve in the U.S. Congress. In her inaugural speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Giffords said a comprehensive immigration reform package needs to include modern technology to secure the border, more border patrol agents, tough employer sanctions for businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, and a guest-worker program. In her first month in office, Congresswoman Giffords voted to support increased federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, raising the minimum wage, endorsing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and supporting new rules for the House of Representatives targeting ethical issues. Giffords also voted to repeal subsidies to big oil companies and invest the savings in renewable energy. "We put our national security at risk by relying on oil from unstable regimes in the Middle East and Latin America," Giffords told her colleagues in a speech on the House floor during debate on the Clean Energy Act. The act repeals $14 billion in subsidies given to oil companies and establishes a Strategic Renewable Energy Reserve to increase research in clean renewable energy, to develop greater energy efficiency, and to improve energy conservation.

During the 2007 session of Congress, Giffords introduced a bill (H.R. 1441) that forbids the sale of F-14 aircraft parts on the open market. She also voted for the contentious May 2007 Iraq Emergency Supplemental Spending bill, saying, "I cannot, in good conscience, allow the military to run out of money while American servicemen and women are being attacked every day".

Giffords was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition. She was the only member of the U.S. Congress whose spouse, astronaut Mark E. Kelly, was an active duty member of the U.S. military. She was also known as a strong proponent of solar energy as well as for her work to secure the border with Mexico.

On January 8, 2011, Giffords was shot outside a Safeway in northwest Tucson during her first "Congress on Your Corner" gathering of the year. At least five others were injured when a man ran up to the crowd and began firing.

Committee assignments

Political positions

Abortion

Giffords was pro-choice and has a 100% rating from NARAL.

Economic policy

Giffords voted for Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, and for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Education

Giffords argues that Americans are competing on a global level and that this competition starts in the classroom. She was a critic of the No Child Left Behind law, viewing it as an unfunded federal mandate. She was a graduate of public schools and supports them with a variety of proposals to make them more effective.

Energy

Giffords believes that renewable energy sources needs to be a top public policy priority and she was a strong proponent of solar energy.

Tucson Weekly noted a letter Giffords sent, on August 1, 2008, to congressional leaders regarding tax credits that were set to expire. She wrote "failure to extend the tax credits would deal a devastating blow to the U.S. renewable energy industry, just as it was beginning to take off."

In September 2007 she released a report titled: The Community Solar Energy Initiative, Solar Energy in Southern Arizona. The report states that Arizona has enough daily sunshine to power the entire United States. It reviews current energy usage and discusses how to increase the production of solar electricity.

Gun rights

Giffords has discussed her gun ownership and support for gun rights opposing the DC gun ban and signing an Amicus curiae brief with the US Supreme Court to support overturning it. She has a D+ rating from the NRA and a D- from the GOA.

Immigration and border security

Arizona's 8th Congressional District was one of 10 in the country bordering Mexico. Giffords has stated that the Arizona SB1070 legislation was a "clear calling that the federal government needs to do a better job". and saying that she hopes the legislation acts as a wake up call to the federal government despite the fact that it "does nothing to secure our border".

On August 31, 2010 Congresswoman Giffords praised the arrival of National Guard troops on the border: "Arizonans have waited a long time for the deployment of the National Guard in our state. Their arrival represents a renewed national commitment to protecting our border communities from drug cartels and smugglers."

Giffords worked to secure passage of the August 2010 bill to to fund more Border Patrol agents and surveillance technology for Arizona’s border with Mexico. The legislation passed the House of Representatives only to be sent back by the U.S. Senate with reduced funding. Ultimately a $600 million bill was passed and signed in to law. The bill was over $100 million less than Giffords fought for, but she said that “This funding signals a stronger federal commitment to protect those Americans who live and work near the border.”

In 2008, Giffords introduced legislation that would have increased the cap on the H-1B visa from 65,000 per year to 130,000 per year. If that was not sufficient, according to her legislation, the cap would have been increased to 180,000 per year. The bill would have allowed, at most, 50% of employees at any given company with at least 50 employees to be H-1B guest workers. A large number of H-1B visas are used by outsourcing companies, as five of the top ten users of the visa are regularly outsourcing corporations. Giffords claimed the bill would help high-tech companies in southern Arizona, some of which rely on H1-B employees. Giffords' bill was never voted on by the house of representatives.

Elections

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona, 2010 § District 8

On November 5, 2010, the Associated Press declared Giffords the victor after a close race against Republican Jesse Kelly. Kelly was listed as a top ten Tea Party candidate to watch by Politico. He was described as "so conservative that he's slammed Palin for endorsing candidates who are too moderate."

2008

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona, 2008 § District 8

In 2008 Giffords was elected to a second term. Republican Tim Bee, a childhood classmate and former colleague in the Arizona State Senate, ran against her. Bee was then the Arizona State Senate President and was considered a strong challenger in this race. Despite the presence of McCain atop the ticket as the Republican presidential candidate, Giffords was reelected with 56.20 percent of the vote to Bee's 41.45 percent.

2006

See also: Arizona's 8th congressional district election, 2006

Giffords launched her first candidacy for the U.S. Congress on January 24, 2006. The campaign received national attention early on as a likely pick-up for the Democratic Party. Prominent Democrats endorsed Giffords including Tom Daschle, Robert Reich, Janet Napolitano, and Bill Clinton. EMILY's List endorsed Giffords early in the campaign cycle. The Sierra Club and the Arizona Education Association also endorsed her. On September 12, 2006, Giffords won her party's nomination in the primary election.

Her Republican opponent in the general election was Randy Graf, a conservative former state senator known for his enforcement-only position on immigration and illegal aliens. Graf had run against Jim Kolbe in the 2004 GOP primary and had announced his candidacy in 2006 before Kolbe announced his retirement. The Republican establishment was somewhat cool toward Graf, believing he may be too conservative for the district. The national GOP took the unusual step of endorsing one of the more moderate candidates in the primary; but Graf won anyway, helped by a split in the Republican moderate vote between two candidates.

Not long after the primary, Congressional Quarterly changed its rating of the race to "Leans Democrat." By late September, the national GOP had pulled most of its funding, effectively conceding the seat to Giffords.

Giffords won the race on November 7, 2006, with 54 percent of the vote. Graf received 42 percent. The rest of the vote went to minor candidates.

Graf's candidacy was mentioned frequently in the national media as a test case of voters' feelings toward immigration issues, and Giffords' victory was portrayed as evidence that Americans are accepting towards comprehensive immigration reform. Graf did not even carry a majority in Cochise County, a border region where illegal immigration was an important local issue. Nonetheless, Arizona's continuing interest in the issue was evidenced by the fact that all propositions in the general election relating to restricting benefits to illegal aliens did pass by wide margins.

Arizona State Senator and Representative

Giffords began her political career as a legislator in the Arizona House of Representatives, where she served from 2001 to 2003.

Giffords was elected to the Arizona Senate in the fall of 2002 and was the youngest woman ever elected to this body. She took office in January 2003 and was re-elected in 2004. She resigned from the Arizona Senate on December 1, 2005, in preparation for her congressional campaign.

In early 2005, Giffords said of the Arizona Legislature: "The previous two legislatures enjoyed the benefits of a working coalition consisting of Democrats and middle-of-the-road Republicans. Due to a lack of competitive legislative districts and low voter turnout during GOP primaries, a fairly large crop of mostly conservative Republicans will dominate the House and Senate in 2005." Giffords' concerns played out as an increasingly conservative legislature combined with a Democratic governor, led to increased polarity in Arizona politics.

Expanding health care access was an issue of interest for Giffords when she served in the legislature. She also pushed for bills related to mental health and was named by the Mental Health Association of Arizona as the 2004 Legislator of the Year. Giffords also earned the Sierra Club's Most Valuable Player award.

In the legislature, Giffords worked on the bipartisan Children’s Caucus, which sought to improve education and health care for Arizona’s children. Critics of this plan argued that it amounted to taxpayer funded daycare. She worked with Arizona's Governor Janet Napolitano to promote all-day kindergarten. Giffords supported raising more money for schools "through sponsorship of supplemental state aid through bonds and tax credits that could be used for school supplies." She was awarded Arizona Family Literacy’s Outstanding Legislator for 2003.

Business career

Giffords worked as an associate for regional economic development at Price Waterhouse in New York City.

In 1996, she became president and CEO of El Campo Tire Warehouses. El Campo was a local automotive chain founded by her grandfather. In 2000, she oversaw the sale of the company to Goodyear Tire. At the time of the sale she commented on the difficulties local businesses face when competing against large national firms. Giffords said "I’m really proud of being able to return to Arizona and help my family and take over a tire business that had serious challenges."

Education

Giffords graduated from Tucson's University High School.

She received a B.A. in Sociology and Latin American history from Scripps College in Claremont, California, in 1993, and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 1996. She focused her studies on Mexico–United States relations while at Cornell. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1996 and a fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Personal life

Giffords was born in Tucson, Arizona.

Giffords married U.S. Navy Captain and astronaut Mark E. Kelly on November 10, 2007. He was the space shuttle's pilot on STS-108 and STS-121. STS-121 in 2006 was the first shuttle mission to launch on the Fourth of July. Giffords participated in a NASA tradition when she selected "Beautiful Day" by U2 as one of the wake-up calls for the STS-121 shuttle crew. On May 31, 2008, Kelly launched into orbit for the third time as Commander of STS-124. This mission in to space marked the first time an astronaut was married to a sitting member of the U.S. Congress.

Giffords' parents are Spencer J. Giffords and Gloria Kay Fraser Giffords. Giffords was Arizona's first Jewish Congresswoman. She was a member of Congregation Chaverim in Tucson.

After Hurricane Katrina struck in the late summer of 2005, Giffords spent time as a volunteer in Houston, Texas, in relief efforts for Hurricane victims. She wrote about her experience in the Tucson Citizen.

Giffords was an avid reader and was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition on July 9, 2006. She discussed books she was currently reading, including First Man, a biography of astronaut Neil Armstrong and The Heartless Stone a book by Tom Zoellner about the intricacies of the diamond industry across several continents. Congresswoman Giffords was periodically interviewed together with Illinois Republican Peter Roskam on NPR's All Things Considered. The series focused on their experiences as freshman members of the 110th Congress.

Electoral History

References

  1. THOMAS Search Results: H.R.1441. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  2. House Votes Again To Ban Sales Of F-14 Parts To Iran. Aero-News.net, June 13, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  3. Stanton, Billie. Stanton: Democrats damned by Iraq war vote. Tucson Citizen June 5, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  4. "Giffords for Congress 2010 » About Gabrielle". Giffordsforcongress.com. 2010-03-26. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  5. "Senate rejects border funding; U.S. Rep Giffords was outraged". KGUN9 Tucson. 2010-07-26. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  6. "Solar energy, immigration top congresswoman's priorities". San Pedro Valley News-Sun. 2008-12-30. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  7. "Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona". NPR. January 8, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  8. "Project Vote Smart - NARAL Pro-Choice America Rating". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  9. "Vote switchers on financial bailout". USA Today. October 3, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  10. February 22, 2009 (2009-02-22). "Stimulus bill deserved my vote | Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords". Giffords.house.gov. Retrieved 2010-07-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  12. Schuster, John. "Power Play | Currents Feature". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  13. http://giffords.house.gov/Solar%20Energy%20in%20Southern%20Arizona%20Report_Exec%20Summary.pdf
  14. ^ Palmer, Christian (2008-03-21). "Arizona Democrats split on DC gun ban". Arizona Capitol Times. {{cite news}}: Text "accessdate-2010-08-10" ignored (help)
  15. "Brief for respondent District of Columbia v. Heller 07-290" (PDF).
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  17. "GOA House Ratings for the 111th Congress". Gunowners.org. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  18. "Democrats call for elimination of Arizona's new immigration law". CNN. April 28, 2010.
  19. "Giffords statement on Arizona's new immigration law and the us border". 2010-04-30. {{cite web}}: Text "2010-08-10" ignored (help); Text "accessdate" ignored (help)
  20. "U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS' STATEMENT ON ARRIVAL OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS ON THE ARIZONA-MEXICO BORDER". 2010-08-31. {{cite web}}: Text "2010-10-11" ignored (help); Text "accessdate" ignored (help)
  21. "U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS WELCOMES PRESIDENT'S SIGNING OF BORDER SECURITY BILL". 2010-08-13. {{cite web}}: Text "2010-10-11" ignored (help); Text "accessdate" ignored (help)
  22. "Bill Text - 110th Congress (2007-2008) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)". Thomas.gov. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  23. "With Unemployment Near Ten Percent, Giffords Seeks Importation of More Cheap Foreign Labor". FAIR. October 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
  24. ^ Gross, Grant (March 14, 2008). "Bill Would Double Cap on H-1B Visas". PC World. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  25. "InformationWeek".
  26. "Gabrielle Giffords wins re-election in Arizona". AZCentral.com. November 5, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
  27. "Top 10 "Tea Party' Candidates to Watch". AZCentral.com. September 21, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  28. http://www.pima.gov/elections/results.htm
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  30. Sunnucks, Mike (June 13, 2006). "Democratic contender gets support in House race". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
  31. "Voters reject immigrant-bashing among candidates". San Jose Mercury News. November 12, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  32. "Right-Wing Agenda Will Obscure our Most-Pressing Issues". Tucson Citizen (republished on candidate's web site). January 10, 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-11-09. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  33. "Flunkies — The Sierra Club grades the Arizona Legislature". Candidate's web site. June 12, 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-11-09. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  34. "Track Record". Candidate's web site. June 12, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
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  36. Faherty, John (2008-06-01). "Congresswoman's husband now in orbit". Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  37. Gelbart, Debra Morton (2006-11-08). "Jewish woman takes Arizona seat". JTA News Service. JTA.org. Retrieved 2010-05-04. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  38. "Gifford's campaign website". Archived from the original on 2007-04-22. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
Arizona's 8th Congressional District House Election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gabrielle Giffords 137,655 54.26%
Republican Randy Graf 106,790 42.09%
Libertarian David F. Nolan 4,849 1.91%
Independent Jay Quick 4,408 1.74%
Arizona's 8th Congressional District House Election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gabrielle Giffords 179,629 54.72% +0.46%
Republican Tim Bee 140,553 42.82% +0.73%
Libertarian Paul Davis 8,081 2.46% +0.55%
Arizona's 8th Congressional District House Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gabrielle Giffords 138,280 48.76% −5.96%
Republican Jesse Kelly 134,124 47.30% +4.48%
Libertarian Steven Stoltz 11,174 3.94% +1.48%

External links

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded byJim Kolbe Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 8th congressional district
2007–Present 		Succeeded byIncumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byKeith Ellison
D-Minnesota 		United States Representatives by seniority
276th 		Succeeded byDean Heller
R-Nevada
Arizona's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Representatives
(ordered by district)
Arizona's delegation(s) to the 110th–112th United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)
110th Senate: House:
111th Senate: House:
112th Senate: House:

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