Giffords' Friends to Host Re-Election Fundraiser in her Honor

A group of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' closest friend in Congress will host a reception this March to benefit her re-election committee, Politico reports.

In an invitation to the event, a copy of which was obtained by Politico, the group's three co-chairs - Democratic New York Sen.

Kirsten Gilibrand and Reps. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) - urge recipients to support Giffords while she focuses on healing.

Giffords has shown promising medical progress in recent weeks, and many are optimistic about a potential return to Congress.

"As we all know, Gabby suffered serious injuries in the January 8th shooting in Tucson," the co-chairs write in a cover letter to the invitation. "We are so proud of her as she continues to make incredible strides in her recovery. We look forward to seeing her again soon and to the day that she will rejoin us in the halls of Congress and resume her role as a leading advocate for solar energy, increased border security, job creation through innovation, and protecting the needs of military families and veterans."

"But first Gabby must focus on the important work of her recovery," they continue. "With that in mind, we have joined together to support Gabby, and we hope that we can count on you to join us!"

Gillibrand, Wasserman Schultz and Smith are known to be among Giffords' close friends in Congress; both were with her when she opened her eyes for the first time in a Tucson, Arizona hospital four days following the mass shooting on Jan. 8 which killed six and injured 13 - including Giffords. Smith and Giffords served on the Armed Services Committee together.

"The bottom line is she's getting better and we know she's going to come back, and we want to make sure that her operations continue," Smith told Politico.

Among other Democrats on the event's host committee include the entire Democratic House leadership - including Reps. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), Steny Hoyer (Md.), Jim Clyburn (S.C.), John Larson (Conn.), Xavier Beccerra (Calif.), and Steve Israel (N.Y.) - as well as Mike Ross (Ark.) of the Blue Dog Coalition, and Joe Crowley (N.Y.) of the New Democrat Coalition.

Giffords, who closed out January with about $285,501 in the bank, was thought to be a potential contender in what will surely be a tight Senate race for the seat of longtime Republican Senator Jon Kyl, who announced his retirement last week. Republican Jeff Flake has since become the first candidate to officially jump into the race.

In an interview with CBS' "The Early Show" on Wednesday, Giffords chief of staff said the congresswoman wasn't yet fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the Jan. 8 tragedy, but emphasized that "no one that has seen her has any doubt that she can understand everything around her."

(Watch the interview at left.)

Wasserman Schultz added that Giffords was able to engage with those around her, though her communication remains limited.

"You could see she really wanted to engage," Wasserman Schultz said. "And she wanted to be responsive and she really responds with facial expressions and smiles and frowns. But I also saw a little frustration in wanting to try to respond because she understood and she wasn't yet able to."