Rep. Giffords Announces Resignation on YouTube [VIDEO]

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) announced her resignation from Congress Sunday via a YouTube video posted on her website.

Giffords, who is still recovering from being shot in the head during a public event last January, ultimately decided to resign her position to focus on her recovery.

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

Giffords was hosting a meet-and-greet outside a Tuscon, Ariz. supermarket on Jan. 8, 2011 when prosecutors say Jared Lee Loughner opened fire on Giffords, her staff and her supporters. During the shooting, which left six dead, Giffords was shot in the head and she sustained a traumatic brain injury.

The Congresswoman has been undergoing an intensive recovery process for the past year. In August of 2011, she returned to the House of Representatives for a vote on the debt ceiling, where she received with a standing ovation.

In a tweet sent from Giffords' handle Monday morning, the Congresswoman is seen embracing a former intern she credits with saving her life that day:

Rep. Giffords hugs Daniel Hernandez, the former intern who saved her life. twitter.com/GabbyGiffords/…— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) January 23, 2012

Before stepping down, Giffords plans to finish the "Congress On Your Corner" event which was violently interrupted last year. She will also meet with some of the victims and witnesses who were in attendance last year.

As her last act in office, Giffords will attend President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Why do you think Giffords took to YouTube to announce her resignation? Let us know in the comments below.