Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords received thunderous applause when she walked gingerly on stage accompanied by her friend, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Giffords smiled and waved to the crowd and then led the delegates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Giffords was shot in the head at point-blank range while meeting with constituents outside a Tucson supermarket in January 2011. Six people were killed and 13 people were injured, including Giffords.
Giffords walked slowly, maintaining her balance as she blew kisses and waved to delegates after the pledge. The crowd started chanting — "Fired up — ready go to!" as she departed.
— Ken Thomas — Twitter http://twitter.com/AP_Ken_Thomas
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