Politics | Democratic National Convention Gabby Giffords: Speaking Is Hard; 'I Want to Say 'Madam President' ' Former congresswoman speaks out against gun violence at DNC By Michael Harthorne Posted Jul 27, 2016 7:50 PM CDT Copied Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., and her husband astronaut Mark Kelly speak during the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Wednesday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Five years after surviving a near-fatal assassination attempt, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords told the Democratic National Convention: “Speaking is difficult for me, but come January I want to say these two words: 'Madam President'." Giffords capped off a string of speakers calling on the government to do something about gun violence. She said she believes Clinton is the person to do that as president. "In Congress, I learned a powerful lesson: strong women get things done," Giffords said. Also speaking was Christine Leionen. Her son, Drew, was killed in the shooting at Orlando's Pulse nightclub, Politico reports. The former state trooper, one of the first family members to speak out after the attack, recalled the hospital locked up her gun when Drew was born. “Where was that common sense the day he died?" she asked. "I never want you to ask the question about your child. That is why I support Hillary Clinton.” Read These Next White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. New York Times ranks the best movies of the 21st century. A man has been deported for kicking an airport customs beagle. New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Report an error