[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7776-H7777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WELCOMING THE HONORABLE PATRICK RYAN TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Nadler) is recognized for 1 minute.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, as the dean of the New York delegation, I
have the distinct honor to rise today to introduce the new Member of
the House of Representatives from New York's 19th Congressional
District, Representative Patrick Ryan.
Representative Ryan is a fifth generation New Yorker who was born and
raised in Kingston, New York. After graduating from the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point, he served our Nation as an Army intelligence
officer and deployed for two combat tours in Iraq.
Returning to New York as a decorated veteran, Congressman Ryan went
on to become a successful small business owner before returning to
public service as the County Executive of Ulster County.
As County Executive, Representative Ryan has been shown to be a
dedicated public servant, and I know he does not take his new role
lightly.
As the dean of the delegation, I know I speak on behalf of the entire
delegation when I say that Representative Ryan will be a wonderful
colleague whose experience, entrepreneurial leadership, and history of
devoted service to our country will help this Chamber navigate the
challenges of our times.
I am now honored, Madam Speaker, to yield to a fellow New Yorker (Mr.
Ryan).
Mr. RYAN of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Nadler for those
kind words and introduction. I am proud to rise today as one of the
newest Members and Representatives in the House, serving the great
people of New York's 19th Congressional District.
On a clear, crisp May morning in 2004, I stood proudly with my West
Point classmates, raised my right hand, and solemnly swore an oath to
protect and defend our Constitution from all enemies, foreign and
domestic. I still vividly remember the mix of emotions I felt as my
classmates and I tossed a thousand white service caps simultaneously
into the air--elation, relief, honor, pride, but mostly the tremendous
weight of responsibility that came with that oath.
I didn't know exactly what lay ahead, but I knew I would soon lead
troops in combat and that it would be my job to protect my fellow
soldiers, to serve my country, to serve my community, to make difficult
decisions with life or death consequences, and always to maintain my
integrity, no matter what.
Today, 18 years later, I am so proud to have renewed that oath to
protect and serve our great Nation. The weight of the responsibility I
feel today standing before you-all is even greater. The same way that I
fiercely protected my fellow soldiers, I will fight for my
constituents, the community that raised me, that sent me care packages
every single week when I was deployed overseas, that has had my back
every step of the way. I will fight for their health, I will fight for
their safety, and I will fight for their freedom.
As I look up into the gallery, I can see my wife, Rebecca, and our
two young boys, Theo and Cameron.
Theo is clapping. Good job, buddy.
They are extremely well behaved tonight, and for that we are greatly
appreciative.
They are 3 years old and 9 months old. They are too young to fully
appreciate the significance of this day and this moment, but I cannot
wait to explain to them the immense pride I feel standing here before
you, with you, my distinguished colleagues, humbly representing my
community.
This is a moment of immense consequence and challenge for our
country. I truly believe it is an all-hands-on-deck moment for our
democracy.
I pledge that I will fight every single day, with every ounce of my
being, to deliver for the great people of New York's 19th Congressional
District and to renew trust and faith in our Nation.
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