Rep. Mazie Hirono released a statement after the Sunday announcement from Democratic Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords that she will resign to focus on recovering from the January 2011 assassination attempt against her. 

Hirono said she was “so very touched” by Giffords’ “courage, spirit and her pure love for Arizona and our nation.”

“I hope that we will redouble our efforts to come together and work in the spirit of laulima and find common ground with our colleagues across the aisle on issues that matter most to our country,” Hirono said. ”I’m sure that’s what Gabby would most like to see us do.”