(RNN) - Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) announced her intention to step down from Congress on Sunday, more than a year after she was shot at a Tucson, AZ "Meet Your Congressperson" event.
"I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week," Giffords said in a YouTube video.
The congresswoman speaks slowly in the video, pronouncing her words carefully as she continues recovery from a Jan. 8, 2011 shooting at a "Congress on Your Corner" event. She was left in critical condition after Jared Lee Loughner, 23, shot her in the head before turning his gun to the crowd, hitting 19 people.
Six people died in the shooting.
"I don't remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice," Giffords said.
The Arizona native also vowed to return to politics once her recovery progressed.
"We will work together for Arizona and this great country," she said.
Giffords served five years in the Arizona Legislature before being elected to the House of Representatives in November 2006.
A special primary and general election will be held to find Giffords's replacement.
As the congresswoman continues to regain her speech and motor functions, the man responsible for her condition continues to await trial.
Loughner, who reportedly believed he had killed the congresswoman, will go through a competency hearing Feb. 9.
His trial has been postponed as the courts and his attorney have battled over whether or not he should be forcibly medicated to stand trial.
Giffords plans to hold a private gathering with people who were at the "Congress on Your Corner" event last year before she leaves office.
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Rep. Gabrielle Giffords speaks to the public in a YouTube video announcing her resignation from Congress more than year after she was near-fatally shot in Tucson, AZ. (Source: YouTube)
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords poses for a photo for her Facebook page in May 2011. The image was the first made public since she was shot Jan. 8, 2011. (Source: Facebook)
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