Gabby Giffords named a 'Profile in Courage'

Posted Mar 8, 2013

Dylan Smith
TucsonSentinel.com

James F. Palka/PlanetaryImages.comGiffords and husband Mark Kelly listen at a news conference backing gun-control legislation on Wednesday. The event marked the first group return of Giffords and other victims and family members of those killed on Jan. 8 to the shooting site.

Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was announced Friday as the 2013 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award "in recognition of the political, personal, and physical courage she has demonstrated in her fearless public advocacy for policy reforms aimed at reducing gun violence."

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation named Giffords as the winner in a news release Friday morning.

Named for Kennedy's 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Profiles in Courage," the award is presented "to public servants who have made courageous decisions of conscience without regard for the personal or professional consequences," the foundation said.

Established in 1989, the award is represented by a sterling silver Tiffany lantern resembling those of the USS Constitution, the Navy's last sailing ship, which is moored near the Kennedy Library in Boston.

The award will be presented to Giffords by Caroline Kennedy on May 5.

"Gabby Giffords has inspired the world with her bravery and her dedication to making change through the political process," Kennedy said in the news release.

"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. She is a true Profile in Courage," Kennedy said.

The recipient is selected by a 13-member bipartisan committee, including former U.S. Sens. Christopher Dodd, Olympia Snowe and Paul Kirk, and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Previous recipients include U.S. Sens. Russell Feingold and John McCain (1999), U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Gerald Ford (2001), Kofi Annan and representatives of New York first responders and the military who risked their lives on 9/11 (2002), and the people of Egypt (2011).