The Hill News

The husband of the congresswoman shot in the head in Tuscon, Ariz., last month said Thursday that if anything good can come from the tragedy it’s that “we learn to work better together.”

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Mark Kelly, a Navy captain and NASA astronaut who is the husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), quoted his twin brother Scott in saying he hoped people would work more closely together to take on broad national challenges.

{mosads}"Our country faces a lot of challenges, and the way they face these challenges is through teamwork," Kelly quoted his brother as saying. "And I'd like to see more teamwork with more people, not only in government but everyone in meeting the challenges our country faces."

"Hopefully, if anything good can come from this it's that we learn to work better together," Kelly said. "Scott concluded by saying we are better than this. We must do better. My brother is right. I know we'll do better, and I know that prayer must be part of that effort."

Kelly said Giffords continues to improve. 

"Please, please, continue to keep Gabby's thoughts and prayers in your heart. It is really helping," Kelly said. 

On Monday, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) visited Giffords at a rehabilitation hospital in Houston. Gillibrand reported Giffords "continues to defy the odds" and is recovering at a rapid pace. Giffords was moved to the rehabilitation center last week. Doctors say she still has a long road to recovery.