speaker, i especially want to recognize her chief of staff, pia carasone. [ applause ] i know havingmet with pia personally, her having worked with our office, she has demonstrated incredible dedication to her co-workers, to you, gabby, and, mr. speaker, she's demonstrated unparalleled leadership for the people of the eighth district of arizona and to that i know they are and we are very grateful. on sunday, mr. speaker, i received a call from captain mark kelly, as we all know gabby's husband. who informed me of gabby's decision. mark has been steadfast in his support of his wife and forever by her side as her best friend and partner. though gabby may be leaving washington today, i know this won't be the last we see of her or mark. we wish you, gabby, we wish mark together the best as they continue the process of gabby's recovery. and i will say once again, mr. speaker, congresswoman gabby giffords' strength against all odds serves and will continue to serve as a daily inspiration to all of us. thank you, mr. speaker, and i yield back. [ applause ] >> jeptle lady from california. >>

earlier today, our thelma gutierrez spoke with giffords' chief of staff, pia carasone. >> how is sheight now? >> good. i saw her yesterday. we had -- she wanted to stop by the safe-way. she hadn't been yet. so i was with her for that experience and, you know, it is a very intense feeling to stand in the space where, you know, six people lost their lives and 12 others were injured and -- >> and her life changed. >> and her life changed, exactly. and so memories started to come back actually yesterday while being there, this which was interesting for her. and from there we went to the icu where, you know, she doesn't really have any memory of being there. but for her family, it was an intense environment, that icu. she was there to thank the doctors and nurses which was very special. >> so much of her time is now spent in houston where she's undergoing rigorous rehab. how is she able to get her work done on behalf of her constituents? i know it has been a top priority for her. >> slaugabsolutely. when she took office, her number one priority was serving this district and the 600,000 co