Barney Frank: “I deeply appreciate the solicitude of my colleagues on my appearance. I want to first assure them that there is much…”

“I deeply appreciate the solicitude of my colleagues on my appearance. I want to first assure them that there is much less here than meets the eye. I am going to explain that because, as much as I appreciate the solicitude, responding to it 400 times would seem to me a bit excessive, literally adding insult to injury. I just want to explain that I discovered a torn ligament. We're not exactly sure how it happened. It was easily repaired today. I am wearing this because the arm was blocked and is not mobile. It is simply to protect the arm. Madam Speaker, I do want to anticipate any question. This had nothing to do with my retirement. I did not discover it until after my announcement of my retirement. And I would just add that at no point during my 31 years here was this ligament ever essential to the performance of my duties. ____________________”