Hope builds for Giffords to attend shuttle launch

Two months after she was shot in the head by a would-be assassin, family, friends and doctors remain optimistic that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will be well enough to attend the launch of her husband's space shuttle mission in April.

Raising hopes, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press Thursday that the congresswoman is confirmed to attend. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the family and doctors have not yet publicized the decision, the AP reported; a news conference was scheduled for Friday at the Houston hospital where Giffords is undergoing rehab.

However, a spokesperson for Congresswoman Giffords later told CBS News that no decision had been made, though it remains a goal.

Giffords spokesman C.J. Karamargin said late Thursday he's, "Not sure why this story is suddenly taking off like the shuttle itself, but nothing is new here. We've been saying the same message for weeks. It's a goal for the congresswoman to attend the launch, it's something we are working toward and we certainly hope she'll be there... That's the same thing we've been saying for weeks and it's what Captain Kelly has been saying as well."

Giffords' husband Mark Kelly will be commanding space shuttle Endeavor's mission, set to blast off April 19.



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