Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will resign from Congress this week, she announced on Sunday.

Giffords, a Democrat, has made a remarkable recovery after being shot in the head, but she said in a video released today (see below) that she needs to focus on her rehabilitation.

The full statement from Giffords:

Arizona is my home, always will be. A lot has happened over the past year. We need to not change that but I know on the issues we fought for we can change things for the better. We can do so much more by working together. I don't remember much from that horrible day but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery and so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week I'm getting better every day. My spirit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country.

In the video, Giffords said this week will be her last in Congress.

I have more work to do on my recovery and so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week, said Giffords. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover.

Giffords was believed to have died in the deadly Arizona shooting, when a gunman put a bullet into her head and killed others as she spoke at a community meet-and-greet forum, yet her recovery has been a shining light of a the dark tragedy.

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