Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords resigns her seat in the House of Representatives – in pictures

Gabrielle Giffords arrives as members of Congress applaud her before President Barack Obama's state of the union address in front of a joint session of Congress. Photograph: SAUL LOEB/AP

Captain Mark Kelly points out his wife, Representative Gabrielle Giffords, to first lady Michelle Obama before the state of the union Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

Barack Obama hugs Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in Tucson, Arizona, prior to the state of the union Photograph: Reuters

Representative Gabrielle Giffords, throws a kiss as she stands with Rep. Jeff Flake (L) as they await U.S. President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Photograph: Larry Downing/Reuters

Secretary of state Hillary Clinton greets Gabrielle Giffords before the state of the union Photograph: Michael Reynolds/EPA

Gabrielle Giffords, accompanied by close friend and DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, leaves the floor of the House on Capitol Hill after officially resigning Photograph: AP

Gabby Giffords gets a hug from House vloak room attendant Ella Terry after she resigned from the House of Representatives Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Giffords is escorted by Debbie Wasserman Schultz after she resigned from Congress to a standing ovation from her colleagues Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images