Gabrielle Giffords delivers Pledge of Allegiance at Democratic National Convention (VIDEO)
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-NV) walks on stage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords made a surprise appearance on the Democratic National Convention Thursday night, leading the hall in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Giffords, shot in the head by Jared Lee Loughner at point-blank range in January 2011, brought tears to the eyes of many attendees as she delivered the pledge, holding her paralyzed right arm over her heart, NYMag wrote.
She walked on stage supported by her friend, Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the DNC chair, and delivered the pledge with slurred speech but a beaming smile.
Vice President Joe Biden was filmed on C-SPAN wiping tears from his eyes, while ABC News reported Newark Mayor Cory Booker as tweeting: "Ok, now Gabby Giffords just made me cry. What a testimony to strength, resilience, perseverance and beauty!"
USA Today quoted a tweet by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor as saying "Gabby Giffords leading the Pledge of Allegiance is an inspiration to all Americans."
Giffords' name reportedly had not been listed on the convention schedule.