Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, right, reacts after reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
/ AP photo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords made a dramatic appearance on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, drawing people to tears with a halting-but-determined recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Giffords, who was nearly killed in a January 2011 assassination attempt, walked slowly onto the stage with her friend, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz before leading the audience in the pledge.
All around her -- from the floor to the rafters -- delegates chanted "Gabby! Gabby!"
As she left the stage, she blew kisses to the crowd.
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Giffords's appearance here was kept tightly under wraps by her aides and convention organizers. The former Arizona lawmaker had been expected to deliver the pledge early in the night's program. But organizers moved her appearance to the beginning of the 8 o'clock hour -- when many more viewers tuned in to watch.
It was only revealed late Wednesday that she would be making an appearance at the convention.
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The former congresswoman is in Charlotte with her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly.
Giffords resigned her Southern Arizona congressional seat in January to focus on her recovery from a 2011 assassination attempt.
She recently moved back to her home in Tucson, which she had represented in the House.
She has taken on an increasingly visible role in recent months. In June, she aggressively campaigned for her former aide, Ron Barber, in his successful special election bid for her vacant seat. Giffords also recently launched a political action committee aimed at providing financial support for candidates of her choosing.
