Colleagues hold fundraiser for Giffords

WASHINGTON, March 16 (UPI) -- Democratic congressional representatives gathered for a Washington fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who is recovering from a gunshot wound.

A lobbyist told Roll Call the event Tuesday at the Teamsters Union national headquarters raised $125,000. The money is to go to Giffords' campaign funds.

Giffords, D-Ariz., has been in a rehabilitation center in Houston since January. Her doctors say she has been making encouraging progress but that recovery from the head wound is a long process.

Jared Loughner, a 22-year-old college dropout, has been charged with killing six people -- including a Giffords aide, a federal judge and a 9-year-old girl -- and wounding 13.

The speakers at the event included Pia Carusone, Giffords' chief of staff, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Rep. Adam Smith of Washington.