WASHINGTON -- A year ago, the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords weighed heavily in the chamber. A seat with her Arizona delegation was left empty during the president's State of the Union address. Lawmakers wore black-and-white ribbons in her honor.
Tuesday night, Giffords returned to the House with a standing ovation more than a minute long amid cheers of "Bravo!" from her colleagues. Then, she received a long, emotional hug from President Barack Obama. Giffords rested her head on his shoulder and for a moment they rocked back and forth -- all at once a welcome home greeting and farewell embrace following her decision to step down from office and focus on her recovery.
