From Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords’ Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=2a03a9eff179940b016940c08f3ccf28&eu=cNltrjp-K–XafuCkx5-Kw#!/GabrielleGiffords

Click on the link above to see the first photos of Gabby to be released since that tragic shooting in Tucson on January 8, 2011, that injured her, 12 others, and killed six. The photos are also on today’s front page (and page A4) of the Arizona Daily Star. Or scroll down this blog to see Gabby’s photo below.

Background of the photographer

The photos were taken by P.K. Weis of SouthwestPhotoBank.com. He has worked as a photojournalist in the Southwest for about four decades. He worked at the Tucson Citizen for 36 years, including 30 as photo editor, until the paper closed in 2009. Weis has known Congresswoman Giffords for more than a decade, since before she was first elected to the Legislature.

The photos were taken May 17 at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, the day after the launch of Endeavour and the day before she had her cranioplasty.

P.K. Weis, SouthwestPhotoBank.com

Statement by the photographer

“Any photographer in the country would have loved the opportunity to take these pictures and I was delighted to be asked. I’ve known Gabby for more than a decade and her staff asked me to do it because she wanted someone who was not a stranger – someone she would be comfortable around. The photos were taken in her room and in an outside area of the hospital.

“In addition to the congresswoman, her mother, one of her staff members and a close friend were there. Doctors and nurses also came in and out.“

It was very inspiring to see how much she had recovered in 4½ months. I was excited to see her and to see her smile. She was glad to see me, was in a good mood, smiling and laughing and seemed to enjoy the experience. I certainly did, too.”

I’ve known “Gabby” since she served in the Arizona State Legislature and then 2 terms in the U.S. Congress, and we need to keep praying for her full recovery from this brain injury. She is about to begin outpatient therapy at the TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas where she has been since late January. Update on her condition from Houston Chronicle (click here).

Congresswoman Giffords, courtesy of P.K. Weis, SouthwestPhotobank.com

From Blog for Arizona’s political calender:

Monday, May 16, 5:30 a.m.: Rise and Shine — and come to the Trident Grill, 2033 E. Speedway Blvd. (east of Campbell Avenue), to watch the Space Shuttle Endeavour’s final launch with the Cactus Roots Team. We will be serving breakfast — and LOTS of coffee — and hope you’ll join us in cheering for Mark Kelly and the Endeavour’s crew as they launch their final mission to the International Space Station. (Launch Time: 8:56 a.m. EDT). Gabrielle is heading back to Florida for the launch — we hope you’ll come back to the Trident Grill to support Mark, Gabby, and the entire Endeavour crew. Sign up here to let us know you’ll be joining us on May 16th for breakfast and the Watch Party!

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has traveled once again from her Houston rehab hospital to Florida to see her husband Mark Kelly and his crew hopefully lift off tomorrow. Good luck to them all.

I reported on the April 29 launch & attended the luncheon watch party at the Trident Grill, even though the Endeavour’s launch was postponed (click here). Fellow Tucsoncitizen.com blogger Ernie McCray – “From the Soul” (visiting from San Diego) joined me and another friend. Other attendees were Ward 2 Councilman Paul Cunningham, LD 28 Rep. Steve Farley, former Arizona Assistant Attorney General Vince Rabago.

UPDATE: 5/16/11 6 a.m. We have lift off! “Expanding our knowledge, expanding our lives in space.” Good luck to Captain Mark Kelly and the Endeavour crew.