The Hill News

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is speaking directly to her constituents for the first time in the 10 months since she was shot in the head in Tucson, Ariz.

In a voice recording posting on her Facebook page, Giffords speaks slowly and with difficultly in brief sentences, telling Southern Arizona residents she is getting stronger and better.

"There is lot to say. I will speak better," Giffords says.

The release of the recording by her congressional office came the morning after ABC News aired the first public interview with Giffords since the January shooting spree outside a supermarket.

"Thinking of that day makes me sad. Six people died. Six innocent people. So many people hurt," Giffords says.

During the ABC interview, Giffords was asked about her plans about remaining in Congress, where she has cast only one vote since the shooting took place. Giffords struggled to formulate the words, but suggested she wanted to return, but not until she made more progress.

"I want to get back to work," she said in the recording released Monday. "Representing Arizona is my honor."

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